Only 61% of Phl has electricity, says Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to claims of his predecessor, President Aquino said only 61 percent of the country — and not 99 percent — has electricity. He said his administration, with a budget of P1.4 billion for the energy department for next year, is determined to bring electricity to the remaining parts of the country, even to far-flung areas.

“I told myself that if they were able to energize 99 percent then that leaves me with one percent to finish. But I found out that in one barangay, even if only two or three homes or sitios were given electricity, they claim complete energization,” the President said in an extemporaneous speech during recognition rites for members of Task Force Kapatid-Typhoon Juan at the Tarlac Electric Cooperative Inc. auditorium in Gerona, Tarlac on Friday. “That is why it could claim 99 percent accomplishment,” he said.

The President paid tribute to the volunteers who were able to restore electrical connection within one week after a devastating typhoon. “I salute you for this,” he said.

“Without electricity, how would the fishermen prolong the shelf life of their products with cold storage? How can the housewives watch the teleserye (television series) they love to view while resting for the day? And how can the students study their lessons?” the President asked.

He said Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras informed him that the country would need more investments to be able to complete the electrification of the country.

The President said it would take until 2020 to fully energize the country, especially the remote areas that could not be covered by existing national grids.

Aquino said volunteerism, as displayed by electric cooperatives in Luzon after typhoon “Juan” in October, would help government complete its goal of energizing the remote areas of the country.

The President said “those clinging to their old ways, would do everything to thwart our road to progress.”

“In which case, I think I need to expand the New Bilibid Prison to charge and house all of these wrongdoers,” he said.

He thanked the awardees, who came from the electric cooperatives organized by the National Electrification Administration, for “taking their pledge of commitment to support his administration for change.”

The awardees took their oaths after a video presentation of their efforts to restore power in typhoon-ravaged areas.

The volunteers, mostly linemen, accompanied their respective coop presidents and general managers in accepting the plaques of recognition from the President, Almendras and National Electrification Administration chief Edita Bueno.

More investments

Meanwhile, Malacañang is optimistic that more investments will come to the Philippines as the country has officially overtaken India as world leader in business support functions like shares services and business process outsourcing.

The country overtook India in these categories last year, according to IBM’s latest Global Locations Trend Annual Report, released recently in New York.

India now ranks No. 2, the first time it was not in the leading position for these activities, according to the IBM report, launched in October but made available online last month.

“We maintain to commit honesty and integrity and accountability among government officials by cutting red tape whenever necessary. So we can really show that, as the President has already said in the past few months, the Philippines is under new management and we are open for business,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte also said the government would give bigger support for technical training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“We have a lot of programs, even the Department of Education is making sure that (English) proficiency improves and not only remains at one certain level but also improves. So I think the proficiency in the English language has always been one of the skills of our fellow Filipinos and we are happy that we able to use this for our development,” Valte said.  –Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star)