MisOr town achieves 100% sitio-level electrification

The town of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental has finally achieved a 100% sitio-level rural electrification following the recent completion of the SPI-funded PHP 1.8 million electrification project in the remote barangay of Kimaya.

Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Juliette Uy cited the project as an important milestone in the government's rural electrification program, especially in Villanueva, where once served as Municipal Mayor.

"I thank our partners, especially Steag, for helping us in these efforts," Rep Uy said during a ceremonial switch-on activity in Brgy. Kimaya.

The Kimaya electrification project consisting primarily of installing a 1.78-kilometer distribution line is part of SPI's Fostering Rural Electrification and Energization (FREE) Program utilizing the DOE ER 1-94 fund allocation. It will benefit at least sixty households in the area.

The successful energization of Kimaya through the collaborative partnership between the DOE, LGU Villanueva, and electric distribution company CEPALCO, is a step forward into narrowing the gap in the country's rural electrification.

The Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC), in its 2020 report, said that there are still 17,379 un-energized sitios across the country, 6,637 or 38% of which are located in Mindanao.

SPI's project in Kimaya is a welcome step forward to addressing the wide gap and helping the government achieve its goal of energizing all communities in 2022.