CEREMONIAL SWTCH-ON. President Arroyo switching on the lights of the house of farmer-beneficiary Emeriano Loretero in Panglao, Bohol while Administrator Bueno and Congressman Chatto look on.

Rural electrification was the highlight of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit to Brgy. Tawala, Panglao in Bohol last Aug. 23, 2007 for the conduct of the President's "Pulong Bayan." Electricity for all is one of the President's top priority programs, which she vowed to bestow, among others, as legacy to the Filipino people. President Arroyo led a commercial switch-on in the household of a Boholano farmer, Emeriano Loretero, witnessed by both national and local officials.

"What we did was just a ceremonial switch-on because the BOHECOs have already attained 100% barangay energization since 2004. But this is what we commit to do, that by 2009 government will finally conquer darkness with the attainment of a 100% barangay electrification rate, just like what the BOHECOs did for Bohol," said President Arroyo.

The President commended NEA and the 119 ECs, for an effective impact of the Rural Electrification (RE) Program in the countryside. The economic uplift, industrial dispersal, increased employment and livelihood opportunities, better education and health services, improved peace and order condition, upgraded communication facilities, technology innovation, and enhanced tourism industry are but a few benefits of electrification in the rural areas.

The President also talked about the 2007 budget allocation of P1.452 billion to fund the fast tracking of barangay energization around the country. For 2008,the DOE has an allotment of P200 million while NEA will get some additional P300 million budget for the ECs.

"Thanks to the tax reforms that we've implemented - we have money to complete our Rural Electrification Program," the President said.

Likewise, President Arroyo also informed the public officials and everyone present that she was to issue an Administrative Order declaring 13 areas where geothermal power is sourced as special economic zones. She said that this move would entice more power producers to invest in the country, which will eventually lead to lower power rates for the consumers. The President stressed that economic development is the government's weapon not only to eradicate poverty but also to counter terrorism in referenceto the Local peace and Security Assembly being held also there during the Bohol visit.

"We will continue to fight terrorism while working for peace and progress in the country," President Arroyo said.

A resident took the opportunity to thank the President for the electrification program saying that in the 36 years of her life she only witnessed having electricity in their barangay five years ago. The Brgy. Tawala chairman also spoke of gratefulness for the President's efforts in rural electrification and at the same time made an appeal that they may have light in their homes but their streets are still covered in darkness due to the absence of streetlights. In reply, President Arroyo tasked Tourism Secretary Ace Durano to sponsor the street lighting for the barangay on the ground that the province's tourism program is booming, which received a warm applause from the crowd.

With the President were some of her Cabinet Secretaries like Cerge Remonde of PMS, Ace Durano of Tourism, Norberto Gonzales of the National Security Council and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye. AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon and PNP Chief Oscar Calderon were also present as they were attending the peace assembly with other LGU officials from around the country led by Bohol Governor and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) national president Erico Aumentado. The three congressional representatives of Bohol were also with the President in the said activity. (A reprint from enernea, the official newsletter of the National Electrification Administration)