Lawyer Janeene Depay-Colingan, who is leading the Regulatory Affairs Office (RAO) of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), has been appointed as the new executive director and general manager of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA).
PHILRECA president Presley de Jesus of the Isabela I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISELCO I) announced her designation recently, making Colingan as the first woman to take on the role, replacing former GM Wendell Ballesteros.
NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong welcomed this development, saying that PHILRECA made a great decision in choosing her to help bring about more positive changes in the organization in aid of the rural electrification movement.
Masongsong said Colingan is prepared to take up the cudgels in the execution of the policies, programs and projects set forth by the PHILRECA Board of Directors under the current dynamic and responsive leadership of De Jesus.
“Atty. Janeene Depay-Colingan is equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude required of the position,” the NEA chief said.
De Jesus, in his statement, added that Colingan’s spotless track record and extensive knowledge in the operations and management of the electric cooperatives made her the right fit to help him lead PHILRECA into its next phase.
“We are confident that she would bring fresh ideas, innovations, and strategic initiatives to our advocacy in support of rural electrification and consumer-driven reforms in the power industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Center of Electric Cooperative Consumers, Inc. (NCECCO) chairman Akmad Mamalinta of the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SUKELCO) likewise extended his warmest congratulations to Colingan and assured her of their support.
“Atty. Colingan is a well-respected figure in the electric cooperatives sector. Her assumption as executive director of PHILRECA is a breath of fresh air. She has the support of NCECCO,” Mamalinta said.
Colingan is currently the Consultant Coordinator of the NEA-RAO team. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Banking and Finance, and a Bachelor of Laws from Saint Louis University, Baguio City.
Organized in July 1979, PHILRECA is a non-stock, non-profit national organization, which is comprised of 121 electric cooperatives operating in the country. Its member-ECs have provided electricity service for more than 12 million power consumers throughout the country.