National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Edgardo Masongsong rallied all electric cooperatives (ECs) under its supervision to support the agency’s legislative agenda, including the possibility of expanding its authority over all power distribution utilities (DUs).
Masongsong asked the general managers of the electric cooperatives to help him lobby Congress to increase or expand its mandate by putting private investors-owned utilities (PIOUs) and private distribution utilities (PDUs) under its charge as well.
“A National Electrification Authority, isang authority lang to supervise all DUs whether you are electric cooperative or you are private,” he said at the 20th National Conference of the National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperatives (NAGMEC).
“Maybe we can do that especially (now) that we have a President who is pro-people, pro-electricity consumers. Maybe this is the time for us to lobby that we will have one agency supervising all DUs,” the NEA chief added.
Masongsong also asked the ECs to endorse the refiling of House Bill 6080, which hopes to modify the qualifications for, and create a screening committee in, the election or appointment of their directors and officers.
Furthermore, the NEA chief said that they may also seek funding for the development of renewable energy in their respective franchise areas and push for the creation of a standard charter for the ECs, a magna carta for energy workers, as well as the establishment of Linemen Training Academy.
Masongsong likewise reiterated during the 20th National Conference of NAGMEC the new thrusts and priorities of the agency in line with the five-point electricity agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte and the nine-point energy policy of Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
The NEA supervises 121 electric cooperatives all over the country.