The National Electrification Administration (NEA) this week released the results of its 2016 overall performance assessment of electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country and all distributors in the Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Caraga regions have kept their AAA ratings from the agency.
Administrator Edgardo Masongsong welcomed this development as the ECs remained compliant with the key performance standards (KPS) of NEA, which factored in financial, institutional, technical and reportorial parameters in its evaluation.
Among the ECs in Western Visayas, the Iloilo II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ileco II) got a perfect score of 100, taking the top spot from its equally impressive counterparts in the region. The Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Anteco) and Ileco III were at close second and third as both were graded 99.20.
Ileco I ranked fourth with 98.40 points, Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Akelco) was fifth with 97.20 followed by the Capiz Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Capelco) with 96.60 and Guimaras Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Guimelco), which scored 95.45.
In Central Visayas, five ECs received the excellent mark including both cooperatives in Bohol (Boheco I and II), the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Prosielco) and two power enterprises in Cebu (Cebeco II and III).
Cebeco I and the ECs energizing the islands of Camotes and Bantayan (Celco and Banelco), meanwhile, were not far behind as they managed to score 99.80, 97.75 and 95.00 points respectively.
Caraga also has five ECs that scored 100 points namely the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Aseco), Siargao Electric Cooperative (Siarelco), Dinagat Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Dielco) and both ECs in Surigao del Sur (Surseco I and II).
The Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Aneco) and Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Surneco) likewise fared well as each netted respective scores of 99.80 and 97.95. The NEA chief is pleased that all these ECs maintained their AAA status for two consecutive years now.
“The ECs’ performance level for the Calendar Year 2016 produced relatively impressive ratings as NEA and the ECs remain as steadfast partners to ensure the sustainability of program implementation and empowerment of member-consumer-owners (MCOs),” Masongsong said in a memo dated March 28.
Masongsong at the same time noted that 80 percent or a total of 97 out of the 121 ECs supervised by the agency have notched either AAA, AA or A status last year. He spoke highly of these energy distributors in the countryside but he also pressed on them to keep upgrading their services.
“As we congratulate those which were able to garner AAA rating, the ECs are encouraged to address the eminent demand for lowering power rates and better service to the MCOs and other stakeholders,” the NEA chief wrote further in his memo.
Masongsong added that those which badly need improvements in their overall performance should “reassess existing programs and implement more aggressive strategies to address major problems and concerns.”
The NEA appraises all 121 ECs nationwide annually using its KPS system to keep track of their economic viability as power distributors. The results of which will serve as basis for the increase or decrease of per diems and allowances due their respective officials and staff starting April 1, 2017.