The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sent two separate validation teams to the Negros Occidental Third District to conduct ocular inspections of projects intending to provide power and water to far-flung areas.
Facilitated by Rep. Alfredo Benitez, representatives from Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) and the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) were also present as part of the Household Electrification Program (HEP), a program of the DOE.
Inspections took place at Sitios Sibato and Lantawan in Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City; Sitio Kipot in Barangay Concepcion, Hacienda Granada in Barangay Matab-ang;, and Purok Tumpok in Barangay Bubog, all in Talisay City; Sitios Balasyang, Genam-an, and Tangke, Barangay Minoyan, Murcia; Barrio Lawaan, Barangay 20 in Victorias City; and Hacienda 17, along with Sitios Ilaya 1 and 2, Jaroy, and Marinque, all in Barangay Canlusong, EB Magalona.
Those qualified under the HEP were provided with renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic, solar home system and micro-hydro system.
Meanwhile, DOST fielded an Engineering Consortium composed of representatives from the Technological University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, and the Iloilo Science and Technology University to work on a prototype solar-powered water system./WDJ