• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Sixty families in insurgency-affected and remote sitio of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental can now enjoy electricity, following the energization of a P5.21-million electrification project implemented by the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco).
The project at Sitio Agogolo, a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area community in Barangay Macagahay, was energized Oct. 1 in a ceremony held at Agogolo Elementary School.
It is Noceco’s biggest project under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) in Negros Occidental’s Fifth District.
The ceremony was led by Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo III, Board Member Hadji Trojillo, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo, Vice Mayor Felix Mathias Segundo Yulo III, and Noceco Communications and Customer Service manager Jocelyn Garcia.
Garcia-Yulo said she first sought the electrification of Sitio Agogolo in 2022, but implementation was delayed after the SEP was suspended.
The program was resumed, allowing the project to push through.
Yulo said the project fulfilled the community’s long-awaited access to electricity as she also credited the municipal council for approving her request to waive electrical connection fees for the beneficiaries.
“Electricity would provide more than household lighting. It is opening opportunities for education, livelihood and better access to essential services,” she added. | GPB
