1980

The NEA energized the 10,000th barangay, Barangay Badajos, a fishing village with some 300 households in San Francisco, Quezon.  The 120 operational ECs jointly registered 937 towns, 10,695 barangays and 1.4 million connections. 

The dendro-thermal and mini-hydro Project Offices were created to make the ECs self-reliant and self-sufficient in their power needs by tapping alternative, indigenous and renewable sources of energy. 

The Philippines hosted the second part of the Conference on Mini-Hydro Technology sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).  Delegates observed and studied the Philippine Mini-Hydro program being implemented by the NEA. 

Loans from the United Kingdom for $47.9 million and the People’s Republic of China (PROC) for $30 million bolstered the self-sufficiency bid of electric cooperatives. 

1981

The first submarine cable (1.2 kilometers long was installed in Alabat Island, Quezon. 

NEA secured a $87.5 million loan from the Asian development Bank (ADB) to finance various RE and mini-hydro projects, and the second KFW loan amounted to $9.1 million. 

By this time, 65 ECs had completely energized the municipalities covered by their franchise areas, bringing to 687 the number of towns and cities already lit up.  Mainland Cebu was totally electrified, the country’s first major island to do so. 

To USAID-funded International Rural Electrification Training Centers located in Agoo, La Union in Luzon and Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental in Mindanao were inaugurated. 

1982

The two millionth connection were energized.  At an estimated average of 6.5 persons residing in each households, about 13 million Filipinos enjoyed the benefits and comforts that electricity brought to their homes. 

Marinduque, Catanduanes, Panay, Bohol, and Leyte topped other islands which have energized all municipalities.  Construction of dendro-thermal plants started. 

One major mini-hydro project was inaugurated, while 18 others were slated for construction. 

NEA initiated electric power distribution to nine small islands under the Small Island Electrification Project funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.  The project covered Bantayan, Biliran, Busuanga, Camiguin, Camotes, Guimaras, Siargao, Siquijor and Tablas. 

Fund sourcing efforts reached the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as NEA got a $13.56 million.  The third OECF loan for $6 million was negotiated.  

1983

Negros was the seventh major island to join the ranks of those which have totally energized their municipalities.  With 1,333 towns and cities lighted up, energization level reached 85 % of the total potential.  Three of the nine small islands were fully energized. 

Five mini-hydro plants with 9,000 KW combined capacity were commissioned.  Many ECs ventured into charcoal livelihood program.  Kilns ere constructed in various cooperative to turn ipil-ipil wood to charcoal. 

In cooperation with USAID and the Farm Systems Development Corporation (FSDC), NEA conducted the International Conference on Bio-Energy Approaches in National Development focusing on renewable energy projects such as dendro-thermal, gasifier and geothermal.

1984

Leading NEA’s accomplishments for the year was the inauguration of the 3.3. megawatt dendro-thermal power plant in Cape Bolino, Pangasinan. 

In response to escalating domestic demand for charcoal as fuel substitute and other commercial uses, 229 charcoal kilns were constructed all over the country. To pursue this project further, the government released a P7 million loan to NEA for relending to the ECs. 

Two devastating typhoons ravaged the electric systems of 24 ECs in the Visayas and Mindanao.  USAID released a P28 million loan to finance the required extensive rehabilitation. 

1985

The ECs tax exemption privileges earlier withdrawn was restored by the government. 

Despite difficult times, rural electrification reached Siargao Island making it the 120th energized EC.  The registration of Ticao Island Electric Cooperative brought to 128 the number of organized cooperatives. 

The year chronicled the commissioning of the 2,520-kilowatt Magat A and B Mini-hydro Projects in Isabela and the 500-kilowatt Mantaypan Project in Cebu. 

The first Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) ventures on exporting charcoal from ipil-ipil trees triggering the intensification of industrial tree farming among rural folks. 

1986

Highlighted by the historic People’s Revolution, the year saw the birth of responsive dire3ctions and policies in the new government.  While some projects were abolished, scaled down or reprogrammed, rural electrification stood out as a basic program that deserved continued governmental support and commitment. 

NEA’s thrust shifted from rapid construction of physical facilities to aggressive institutional development program.  The attainment of improved efficiency and higher productivity was adopted as its major corporate goal. 

The agency joined the hundreds of government offices and instrumentalities which underwent thorough assessment of existing structure, policies, systems and manpower complement resulting in an integrated reorganization plan for the entire bureaucracy aimed at better responsiveness and more efficiency. 

1987

Government’s transition toward political normalcy was reflected in the NEA’s operations with the adoption of new management systems and corporate policies to optimize the efficiency of the NEA and the ECs.            

Financial performance for the year showed a remarkable improvement.  Roughly P 161 million in amortization payments of the coops were remitted to NEA bringing the total amount thus far collected to P 577 million. 

By year-end 1,281 municipalities and 20,170 barangays were energized, representing 93 % and 59% of their respective total potential.  About 2.8 milion households were connected by the coops. 

The issuance of Executive Order No. 192 placed NEA under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

1988

The primary trust during the year was the strengthening of NEA and the ECs.  The Program was given a boost with the infusion of P 500 million equity from the national government to rehabilitate 19 financially strapped ECs under the relending scheme.  The year 1988 saw the merger of several ECs to achieve operational economies of scale and thus ensure financial viability/sustainability. 

A grant of $ 40 million was provided by the USAID for technical assistance, systems rehabilitation and institutional strengthening of the rural electrification sector. The funds had been earmarked for procurement of line material/tools and testing equipment, drafting of system planning reports, manualization of financing strategy, development of rural electrification master plan, and computerization of NEA and EC operations using a local area network (LAN). 

1989

The THREE MILLIONTH CONNECTION marked yet another program milestone.           

An organizational development (OD) program was initiated towards the middle of the year.  As a related development, the year witnessed the physical establishment of regional electrification centers (RECs) as well as the deployment of regional technical assistants (RTAs) to assist the REMs in their field supervision and program monitoring functions. 

An aggressive systems loss reduction program (SLRP) as launched by way of massive rehabilitation and upgrading of the coops’ physical facilities. 

A computerized billing system was pilot tested in Tarlac II Electric Cooperative, and its success prompted the ADB to commit the funding for its replication in .55 other ECs nationwide.

This year marked another year of improvement and innovations for the rural electrification program.  It saw the energization of an additional 226,542 connections, 574 barangays and 20 municipalities.  

One of NEA’s thrusts in 1995 was the rehabilitation of lines, which covered 748 kilometers, exceeding the target of 266 kilometers.  This number represents an accomplishment rate of 281%.  As part of the continuing efforts of the NEA to provide livelihood assistance and generate employment in the rural areas, the Woodpole Production Program was taken to higher gear in 1995.  A total of 33 ECs participated in the project resulting in the cultivation of 333 hectares of land for woodpole plantation representing 195% accomplishment rate of the annual target of 170 has.  A memorandum of Agreement between the NEA and the Boys Scout of the Philippines was signed to implement the Woodpole Farm Project. 

NEA was able to collect P1952 M loan repayments of current amortization from the electric cooperative, 6.93% higher than last year’s collection.  This amount is 108% higher than the targeted P881 M. 

To strengthen the capability and technical know-how of the EC personnel, the NEA conducted a total of 103 schools of training activities for the year producing 4,031 graduates.  Of the 103 activities 44 USAID-funded schools on Computerization were conducted benefiting 1,242 participants from Regions I-XII ECs.