By PIA-Bohol | 10:18 PM March 15, 2025
In one day, about 1,118 households of three off-grid island barangays of Bien Unido town improved their access to 8 hours of uninterrupted power from the diesel power plants which the government missionary electrification program (MEP) during the switch on of 6 power mini-grid systems in Sagasa, Maomawan and Malingin islands.
Islands too far out to be strung with power cables from the mainland, the three were among the 5 Bohol islets who were supposed to be energized years ago.
However, when everything was set for the switch-on ceremonies, typhoon Odette pushed the plans back as the storm surges which washed through the islands destroyed the procured diesel generators, toppled power lines and blew houses away, Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado said, explaining the delay.
A project he personally proposed to the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration when he was still congressman, the Island Electrification Projects as proposed jibed with the DOE Missionary Electrification Program, also added National Power Corporation’s Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) Visayas Operations Department manager Engr. Timoteo Diacor.
Congresswoman Maria Vanessa Aumentado, who adopted the project helped the DOE and NEA get budgets for the project, to make the ambitious energization into a reality.
As proposed, the DOE and the NEA are to build the infrastructure for the island energization, NPC SPUG provides the needed generators and the power plant set-up while a local distribution utility in Bohol Electric Cooperative II gives free 30 meter drop wires, house meters, operates and manages the island distribution with their manpower and organization of a localized power cooperative for ease in administration.
The calamity however, which pushed the project back, opened up more problems as the NEA subsidized house wirings were ruined, power lines stolen and other costs came up which stalled the project.
With a Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution by Board Member Jiselle Rae Villamor, the Provincial Government released funds to pay for the houses that could not be connected due to lack of materials.
Bien Unido Mayor Rene Borenaga who was in the event, also said she would help the communities get the necessary documents for the Certificate of final inspection, before BOHECO could tap the power to the power lines.
On March 11, the team of NPC SPUG, BOHECO and the Provincial Government switched on the power generators in Sagasa, Maomawan and Malingin islands.
NPC SPUG provided Sagasa with 298 households mostly into fishing with a power plant of two 20KW diesel generators; Maomawan and its 454 household with one 20KW and another 30KW diesel generator and Malingin’s 366 households with two 30KW power generators.
The newly energized barangays would now be getting power services from 4 PM to 12 midnight, and this could be extended to 16 or 24 hours depending on the optimization of the facility, according to Engr Diacor.
Prior to the energization, island residents relied on tapping into private generators which costs about P200 for 6 PM to 10 PM operation.
With the new set-up, island residents could be paying less compared to those tied to the grid as there is practically no generation and transmission charges here, according to BOHECO 2 Talibon Area Manager Engr. Raywin Flor, during the ceremonies.
More than that, electricity brings productivity, schools and infrastructure, are the direct consequence, which provided the correct environment for the youth, adds Engr. Diacor.
For Mayor Borenaga, this helps students in preparing their home assignments and projects, while providing homes the opportunity to expand their home learning environment with electricity driven learning technologies and gadgets.
Expect a better quality of life, as life in the islands is not at all bad, given the opportunities, there will be progress, Congresswoman Aumentado said. (rahc/PIABohol)
