Seven personnel of the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) are now assisting the ailing Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO) in its right-of-way clearing operations as part of Task Force ALECO.
FICELCO OIC-General Manager Engr. Francis Gianan said that the task force was set up by the Bicol Association of Electric Cooperatives (BECA), with all cooperatives sending a total of 70 personnel equipped with boom trucks.
He added that the operation set for Jan. 22-29, 2023 is intended to clear ALECO distribution lines of obstructions, particularly in the Legazpi City commercial area, avoid unnecessary brownouts and address increasing systems loss.
Backed by the Board of Director headed by Pres. Jonathan Valles, the FICELCO task force is composed of SLRF foreman Richard Ramirez, ROW foreman Kevin Martinez, SLRD lineman Tito Lumbao, Operation lineman Gerald Pante, Area 1 lineman Basilio Panti, Area 2 lineman Lawrence Tianzon and Manlift driver Dante Tabuzo.
Also joining the effort is the Albay provincial government, with Governor Edcel Grex Lagman lending two dump trucks and one boom truck to help in the clearing operation.
In a short ceremony at the ALECO main compound in Old Albay District, Legazpi City, Lagman assured that the provincial government will do its best to help ALECO improve its services to the member-consumers.
The National Electrification Administration – Albay Electric Cooperative (NEA-ALECO) Acting General Manager, Engr. Wilfredo Bucsit thanked Lagman and the provincial government for its continuous help to make ALECO sustain its services.