In pursuit of its mandate, the Small Power Utilities Group of National Power (NPC-SPUG) is set to take-over (12) plants in Bohol being operated by the Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I). BOHECO I requested the transfer of the 12 power plants to NPC-SPUG citing difficulties in maintaining operations o the plants due to increasing fuel and spare parts costs.

The turn-over ceremony was held on 21 February 2008 in Cabilao Island, and attended by the Honorable Congressman of the 1st District of Bohol, Edgar M. Chatto; BOHECO 1 President, Jerimias A. Boligao; NPC-SPUG Vice-President Lorenzo S. Marcelo; and SPUG-Visayas Operations Department Manager,  Edmundo A. Veloso, Jr.

The 12 Bohol islands consisting of:

1.       Cuaming, Inabanga;

2.       Hambongan, Inabanga;                       

3.       Mantata-o, Calape;                            

4.       Cabilao, Loon;                                

5.       Balicasag, Panglao;                           

6.       Pamilacan, Baclayon;                      

7.       Bag-0ng, Banwa, Tubigon;

8.       Batasan, Tubigon;

9.       Bilangbilangan, Tubigon;

10.   Mocaboc, Tubigon;

11.   Pangapasan, Tubigon; and,

12.   Ubay, Tubigon

shall be incorporated in the missionary electrification program of NPC-SPUG, which shall entitle electricity consumers in the islands to financial support from the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UC-ME) pursuant to R.A. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).  The assistance to consumers shall come via NPC-SPUG’s sale of electricity at a subsidized rate of 5.6404 Pesos/kWh.

NPC-SPUG’s total number of power plants undertaking missionary electrification all over the country will have increased to one hundred seventeen (117) once the take-over of the Bohol plants is realized. The program expanding NPC-SPUG’s missionary electrification services has been submitted to the Department of Energy for inclusion in the Missionary Electrification Development Plan and subsequent funding from proceeds of the UC-ME.