Electric cooperative assures Butuan City, Agusan Norte consumers of energy readiness amid national crisis
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — In line with national directives to safeguard the country’s energy supply, the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO) reassured consumers of stable electricity service amid the ongoing national energy crisis during the Butuan City Energy Development Council meeting on April 13.
The meeting was convened following the national government’s declaration of an energy emergency, prompting a whole-of-government approach to ensure adequate and reliable power supply across the country.
Bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, the council aligned local initiatives with national energy security measures. Among the participants were representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Gawad Kalinga, academic institutions, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Butuan City Chamber of Commerce, and various city government offices.
ANECO General Manager Darwin T. Daymiel and Technical Services Department Operation and Maintenance Supervisor Joel J. Almonte led the cooperative’s presentation of the local energy situation.
Almonte assured stakeholders that ANECO’s contracted power supply remains sufficient to meet the current and projected demand of its member-consumer-owners.
“Our total contracted megawatt supply is sufficient to cover the existing and anticipated load requirements of our member-consumer-owners,” Almonte said.
He also emphasized that consumers should not be alarmed, as the cooperative continues to implement proactive measures to address potential challenges stemming from the national crisis.
“There is no need for our consumers to worry. ANECO is continuously exploring and implementing measures to ensure uninterrupted and reliable power supply despite the national energy situation,” Almonte added.
To support national calls for transparency and consumer awareness, ANECO also explained the factors affecting electricity rates, including generation, transmission, government taxes, and distribution charges.
Discussions further highlighted the government’s push for energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy solutions such as solar photovoltaic systems through net metering. Daymiel noted that the DOE has streamlined the application process to make it more accessible for households.
“ANECO does not impose any fees for net metering applications. Any charges involved are statutory fees collected by the Energy Regulatory Commission and the office of the building official,” Daymiel said.
He also underscored the importance of registering solar installations to ensure the safety of line workers during maintenance and clearing operations.
In response to recommendations from the business sector, ANECO committed to developing localized and easy-to-understand infographic materials to guide consumers on proper net metering application and compliance.
The council likewise discussed the need to profile electric vehicle users, including e-bike and e-trike owners, to strengthen safety awareness campaigns amid the growing shift toward alternative energy use.
Presided over by City Vice Mayor Rey B. Desiata, the meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, noting that local preparedness efforts complement national directives aimed at ensuring a stable, resilient, and sustainable energy future for all. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from ANECO)
