1970-1971

The stage for the development of physical facilities of the ECs was initiated with the setting-up and subsequent energization of two pilot projects, the MORESCO and VRESCO, which were to serve as model of rural electric cooperative throughout the country. 

1972

The firm foundation for the massive rural electrification program began with the initial loan of $20million from USAID to of 36 electric cooperative. 

Presidential Decree No. 40 was enacted stipulation the basic policies for on integrated national power development program. Letter of Instruction No.38 directed the NEA to establish procedure for the municipal system into ECs. 

1973

NEA became a public corporation by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269 repealing RA 6038 and funding to NEA. This resulted in the construction stage of the cooperative physical facilities. 

1974

The original backbone system and several RECs (MORESCO,VRESCO,CAPELCO, ALECO,LANECO,INEC and LEYECO I) were completely energized serving with nineteen others already serving portions of their coverage An $18 million loan was likewise extended to NEA by USAID.

1975

To expedite the program expansion, the NEA received its third loan from USAID amounting to $20-Million.  Additional funding included a $2.3 million loan from the World Bank to support the development of small-scale industries in energized areas and an $18 million loan from a consortium of French banks for the purchase of generating units. 

Towns energized rose to 232 from 122 registered in the previous year while households being served grew from 153,085 to 228,264 with a total of 42 ECs nation wide becoming operational. 

1976

The year marked the upsurge of barangay electrification in cooperative areas with a total of 113 towns and 1,652 barangays thus illuminating 169,081 rural households.  This means that rural electrification has spread through 414 towns, 3893 barrios and 467,879 households.  Operational ECs increased to 63. 

New projects implemented involving schoolhouse lighting, electric-based cold storage plants and electric-driven rural water systems multiplied the socio-economic benefits derived from rural electrification. 

The Philippine rural electrification program emerged as a model for developing countries throughout the world.  An 11-day international conference-study tour on rural electrification, jointly sponsored by the NEA and USAID, was held to showcase the Philippine experience. 

The fourth USAID loan worth $20 million was provided to the NEA to fund the cost of electrical equipments and materials produced for the ECs. 

1977

Energization reached 541 towns, 5,736 barangays and 652,664 households.  ECs organized and registered by the NEA numbered to 100 in the 71 provinces of the country, thus fulfilling the immediate objective of the NEA to establish an electric cooperative in every province. 

Self-reliance in energy became a new thrust in program implementation.  Mini-hydro power development began to take shape to supplement electrification efforts. 

1978

Energization levels rose to 651 towns, 7,014 barangays and 854,137 house connections.  The initial group of ECs completed their five-year grace period and started paying their amortizations to NEA. 

The authorized capital stock of the NEA was increased from P1.0 billion to P2.0 billion through the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 1370. 

Presidential Decree No. 1206 attached NEA to the Ministry of Energy. 

1979

It was a banner year as the NEA energized its one millionth household in Virac, Catanduanes.  Electric cooperatives, the backbone of rural electrification program grew from the original 2 pilot projects in 1969 to 116 at the end of the year. 

Letter of Implementation No.80 directed the immediate implementation of the mini-hydro and dendro-thermal projects and transferred the NEA to the Office of the President.  

Presidential Decree No. 1645 increasing NEA’s capitalization fromP2 billion to P5 billion was signed.  Several concessional loans acquired from France (200 million francs) and the Federal Republic of Germany (10 million DM) sped up the development of self-reliance of rural electric cooperatives (RECs).  With the promotion of livelihood projects for the rural people, NEA was placed under the Ministry of Human Settlements.