The project starts once the transfer of the P16 million from the Department of Energy (DoE) to the local to the local coffers is completed this month, Mayor Rodolfo Gantuangco, said.
Dubbed “Task Force Electrification,” the project will energize 1,142 households in 28 sitios of 18 villages in the city, mostly poor and remote areas, including Amas, Nuangan, and Kalaisan.
The project is implemented by the city govrnment, together with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), and the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco), a local electric cooperative.
Though the city LGU has already energized all its villages in three years since 2003, thousands of households from small sitios in far-flung areas have yet to benefit from the project.
With the additional P16 million funding, he said, “this will ensure that children can study better at night, listen to radio, and watch television. Also, if remote villages are lighted at night, it adds a feeling of security to residents.”
The project, said Gantuangco, is part of the city LGU’s social and infrastructure development programs.
The city is spending P3 to P4 million a year to pay bills for street lights. About 1,500 street lights are illuminating the city streets every night.