The National Electrification Administration (NEA) energized on Monday, 12 February 2024, a geographically isolated community in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, which is home to families belonging to the Higaonon tribe.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda traveled to the hillside village of Brgy. Bokbokon to lead the switch-on ceremony for Sitio Salaming, one of the recipients of household energization projects under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) of the agency.

In his speech, the Administrator said he was making it a priority to brighten up the unserved areas in Mindanao. He thanked the local government executives of Las Nieves for bringing the Higaonon indigenous peoples (IP) community to his attention.  

“Malayo pa po ang hahabulin natin, lalong-lalo na po sa mga ganitong lugar na bulubundukin (We still have a long way to go, especially when it comes to a mountainous location like this),” noted the NEA chief, reflecting on the challenges of energizing other remote villages nationwide.

Nevertheless, Administrator Almeda said he is determined to pursue more SEP-funded projects in the future. He acknowledged that providing reliable electricity services is an essential first step towards generating economic activity and developing human resources in a local community.

“Ako ay naniniwala ang progreso hindi mangyayari ‘pag walang kuryente, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga bata. Paano makapag-aaral kung walang kuryente? Kaya’t huwag ho kayong mag-alala, kami ho sa national government ay sadyang bibigyang-pansin ‘yan,” the Administrator said.

(I believe that progress cannot happen without electricity, especially for the children. How can they study properly without electricity? So, rest assured, we in the national government is paying attention to this.)

Sitio Salaming is under the franchise area of the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO), which also celebrated its 47th founding anniversary. ANECO is led by General Manager Engr. Darwin Daymiel and Board President Romeo Gumadlas. ###