The government is set to take over Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative to ensure the speedy restoration of power in Marawi City, the National Electrification Administration said over the weekend.
“There’s a plan… a proposed EO [executive order] now submitted to the Office of the President for the government takeover,” NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.
He said the takeover was a decision reached by a committee composed of Finance and Energy Departments and other relevant government agencies.
Masongsong said the recommendation was already submitted to the Office of the President.
“That’s beyond our control. In fairness to Lasureco, they did everything. In fact, six coastal towns of Lanao del Sur are now enjoying electricity,” he said.
Masongsong said Lasureco allocated some P84 million to reconstruct the distribution system to benefit the six coastal towns.
“Lasureco is doing its best. In fact, Lasureco is at the forefront in electrifying the Sagonsongan Temporary Shelter…And during the Marawi siege, there was electricity because of Lasureco,” he said.
NEA directed Lasureco to ensure adequate power supply in temporary shelters for residents affected by the Marawi City siege last year.
Masongsong earlier expressed dismay over the outbreak of hostilities in Marawi as it occurred at a time when the Task Force Duterte-Lanao Sur Power “hit the ground running” to revive the ailing electric cooperative.
Lasureco was said to have incurred around P10 billion in debt.
“Lasureco was on its way to full rehabilitation when this unfortunate event happened,” Masongsong said.
