MAKING LIVES BETTER

BY MEL VELEZ

    CORTEZANO

The energy and enthusiasm with which its anniversary was celebrated showed it all: First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FIBECO) at 40 is unstoppable in providing quality, dependable and affordable electricity in the province of Bukidnon.
The May 13, 2012 celebration with the theme ‘’We Make Lives Better,’’ was a complete success attended by the Board of Directors, coop officers and about 600 rank-and-file employees and their families.
A major highlight of the celebration was the oathtaking of the

members of the Board of Directors 2012-2013: Dr. Regin D.Mordeno (President), Romeo Y.Pacanan (Vice President), Felix G. Vergara Jr. (Secretary), Wilfredo D. Bajao (Treasurer), Ricarte  E. Salapang (Auditor), Catalino D. Villaflores (Asst. Secretary) and Raul L. Alkuino (Asst. Treasurer).
Maramag Mayor Alice Paulican-Resus, the guest speaker, lauded FIBECO officials and employees for excellent service and their effort to sustain the excellence, noting the planned acquisition of the 300MW Pulangui hydropower plant, building of mini-hydropower plant and bio-mass power generation.
Mayor Paulican-Resus said FIBECO has improved the lives of people of Bukidnon by being an effective partner in community development through its affordable rates and effective service.
Unlike other power consumers in other parts of Mindanao now hounded by power crisis, FIBECO member-consumers are not tormented by “power rotations” as a result of FIBECO’s partnership with Crystal Milling Company  in the 6-7MW bio-mass power generation project, and the 3.2MW diesel power feed plant project with King Energy Generation Inc.
During the celebration, FIBECO gave recognition to the coop’s retirees whom General Manager Engr. Renato S. Cortezano said formed the pioneering backbone in the early operations in the 70s of the then infant power cooperative.
In his speech, Cortezano assured FIBECO would be able to stand up to the challenges of the times to respond ably to consumer needs.
Cortezano also thanked Bukidnon  3rd District Congressman Joey Zubiri  for his Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) which helped FIBECO’s barangay lighting program, and the  Department of Energy (DOE) and National Electrification Administration (NEA) for extending subsidies.
With consumer satisfaction as one of its primary missions, Cortezano bared corporate image enhancement programs like providing ATMs for bill payments to member-consumers in partnership with Allied Bank. FIBECO has also embarked on constructing the parallel line, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) under its capital expenditure (CAPEX) program, said Cortezano.
Newly-installed Board of Directors president Dr. Regin D. Mordeno assured a continuing Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR) programs  through medical-dental outreach peojects, free medicines and vitamins and food aid to less fortunate school children, scholarship program and livelihood through barangay power associations.
Dr. Mordeno reminded employees on the value of understanding and cooperation as the strength of FIBECO and of environmental protection as one of the coop’s corporate thrusts. Institutional Service Department (ISD) head Armand  Cantoy said about 200 premium  of seedling trees were planted as part of the anniversary activities by the employees.
Director architect Raul L. Alkuino urged full support by employees for FIBECO’s present programs and undertakings with the same intensity that they supported them in the past.