Higaonon households in Agusan Norte town now enjoy electricity
By Nora Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – A total of 230 indigenous peoples (IPs) households at Sitio Minsalaming, interim Barangay Bokbokon in the municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte benefited from the National Electrification Administration’s Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).
Sitio
Minsalaming, the home of the Higaonon tribe, is a far-flung barangay that was
formerly infested with communist rebels.
The Sitio
Electrification Program of the National Electrification Administration (NEA)
aims to energize sitios and puroks that are distant from the center of the
barangay.
Tribal
chieftain Datu Ronald L. Manhumosay expressed the tribe’s gratitude for the
development in his place, including the long-time dream of having electricity
in every household.
“Finally,
after the dark and chaotic experiences that we had at the hands of the guerilla
terrorists, we now have seen the light. Thank you to the government for the
free electric installation that brought light into every home," said
Manhumosay during the ceremonial switch-on.
Governor
Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante of the province of Agusan del Norte personally
witnessed the ceremonial switch-on at Sitio Minsalaming, Barangay Bokbokon, Las
Nieves. She appealed to the tribal community to sustain the peace and order of
the place so development will not be hampered. Photo courtesy of PLGU - Agusan
del Norte.
Governor
Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante of the province of Agusan del Norte emphasized
to the beneficiaries of the program that the government gives priority to
far-flung barangays, saying, “You have seen how the government is sincere
to you by ensuring that services would reach this part of the province despite
the very far location of your sitio. Rest assured that you are part of and
included in the development plan of the government.”
“Dapat
dili magpadaug sa walhong grupo ug di magpadala sa ilang mga pulong batok sa
gobyerno, ok unta kung nakaabot ang atong mga suga gumikan sa atong
pakipaggiyera sa atong gobyerno pero niabot ning tanan, kadtong atong nakuha
ang kalinaw sa atong lugar, so ang susi gyud ang pag-kooperar, paghiusa gyud sa
gobyerno, atong ampingan og insakto, palanggaon gyud ang atong lugar kay walay
lain mopangga kung dili kita mismo taga diri ," the governor said.
[We
should not let the leftist group win, do not listen to their words against the
government. It would be okay if your houses got electricity by fighting against
our government, but electrification only arrived when we decided to choose
and achieve peace in our area. So the key is really cooperation and unity with
the government. We should sustain it correctly and love our place because no
one else will love this more than we do]
The
IP members of Sitio Minsalaming in Barangay Bokbokon, Las Nieves were full of
happiness and appreciation to the government that finally their houses will
have electricity. For a very long time, Sitio Minsalaming was very dark and
chaotic at the hands of the guerilla terrorists. Photo courtesy of PLGU -
Agusan del Norte.
Administrator
Antonio Mariano C. Almeda of NEA relayed that the SEP is a priority program of
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., targeting to energize the entire country by
2028.
“We are
giving attention to Mindanao because it has only 89 percent electrification
rate, and I am also thankful to Governor Amante and Congressional District of
Las Nieves and Butuan City Representative Jose Aquino II for always visiting me
and the constant follow-up for implementation of the project in your area,”
Almeda added.
Almeda
assured that, with the help of ANECO, Inc., IP communities will no longer be
dark and more far-flung areas in the province will be reached by the
electrification program of the government.
In Agusan
del Norte, SEP is being implemented by the Agusan del Norte Electric
Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO), a non-stock, non-profit, service-oriented electric
cooperative responsible for the distribution of power to households, business
establishments, and industries in the province.
The ceremony was witnessed by Las Nieves Mayor Karen S. Rosales, ANECO, Inc. General Manager Darwin T. Daymiel, other provincial and municipal officials, Brigadier General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, commanding officer of the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade, IP leaders and residents of the sitio. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
