The Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II) in Negros Oriental province has identified 34 “sitios” or sub-villages for energization starting late this year through early 2025, an official said on Wednesday.

Lawyer Fe Marie Dicen, NORECO II general manager, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that this is part of the National Electrification Administration or NEA’s Accelerated Total Electrification Program (ATEP) under the agency’s new management.

“The sitio electrification program is now accelerated under the ATEP so we were asked to submit a list of new sub-villages for energization,” Dicen said, noting that there are new sites that were not previously identified.

“As people move farther from areas that we have energized, new sitios are formed from time to time,” she added.

NORECO II had to submit an updated list of the emerging “sitios” with certifications from the barangay captains for energization.

This year’s 34 sub-villages for energization are in Bayawan City and the towns of Pamplona and Sta. Catalina.

Dicen is hopeful that the NEA allocation will be released by November once the liquidation of the previous allocation is completed so that they can start immediately, as they will be given a six-month program implementation period.

She added that she could not yet give the exact amount for this year’s energization program of the 34 “sitios”. (PNA)