BOHECO I turns gold!

By De Marvy D. Bongato and Belinda Sales Canlas

SUSTAINING an electric cooperative (EC) amid and beyond typhoons, a major earthquake, a raging pandemic, and other catastrophes for fifty long years while ensuring the delivery of first-rate electric service to satisfy the growing demands of Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) in the 26 municipalities of Bohol calls for a fitting celebration of the EC’s equanimity, steadfast commitment, and vision as fleshed out in the laurels of corporate management and innovations it has garnered since 1982.

The consistent victories of Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) began as a willful gamble, a dare to realize a dream of encompassing vision in the once somber and underdeveloped island of Bohol, and a single leap of courage and faith to try the impossible which have all made an astounding difference in the province – now exalted as one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the Philippine archipelago.

The rural development of the province is attributed to sustainable electric services that energize homes, businesses, and industries keeping the different sectors of the community alive, operational, and interconnected.

In a world enmeshed in unstoppable technological innovations making people a part of the microcosm of the global village – a technology-dependent and -driven people and village, electricity is deemed a necessity; it becomes indispensable to a human being’s daily existence.

During unforeseen catastrophes like an earthquake, a pandemic, or any non-traditional security threat, it is electricity that enables people to reconnect, continue, and pursue what they have started or undertake the completion of interrupted activities and events, most especially in the spheres of education, work, business operations, food production, and many more.

Looking back 50 years ago, obtaining an electric connection was only a luxury among Boholanos until BOHECO I brought light and delight at their doorsteps! One could hardly believe that electric service would be made available for twenty-four hours daily even in the far-flung barangays and distant sitios in Bohol in the 1970s!

Establishing an EC in Bohol, one with a challenging topography, and at the time, one of the poorest provinces in the country, was way too ambitious. The venture of building one entailed a fortune, and the very question was “Who would ever dare gamble?”.

Alas! What is once an elusive dream has become a luminous reality. BOHECO I is truly indebted to the people and the organizations, most especially the National Electrification Administration and the Bohol Provincial Electrification Committee, whose contributions were instrumental in the birth and transformation of BOHECO I, which in turn fueled the marvelous metamorphosis of Bohol – from a gloomy unnoticed province into a glimmering tourist destination, arresting the attention of local and international tourists.

Energizing Bohol’s 26 municipalities for 50 years saw how BOHECO I had withstood the tests of time. It victoriously flourishes in times of adversity conquering the impossible with its constant leap of courage to bring light to rural communities. This golden anniversary is a concrete proof of the EC’s enduring commitment to provide sustainable and excellent electric services to its MCOs through the passage of time.

BOHECO I’s astute leadership, community role, and organizational relevance have been tested by huge challenges over the years. These include the damages wrought by ravaging typhoons, especially Nitang and Ruping in the 1980s when the electric cooperative was still hardly financially stable. We can also admire how BOHECO I was able to restore electricity by phases starting on the third day following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shattered Bohol in 2013. How it coped efficiently following the aftermath of Yolanda. And presently, how it is managing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic which unfortunately, have contributed to decreased sales.

These are hard realities calling for bedrock responses. Fortunately, these are addressed by BOHECO I’s core values of honesty, thrift, integrity (Palabra de Honor), generosity, teamwork, discipline, and hard work. When the organization is hard-pressed by a serious challenge, the men and women of BOHECO I rally behind each other and revisit these core tenets to move forward.

On Aug. 11, 2021, BOHECO I will turn gold. With this milestone, the EC will publish a coffee table book chronicling the resounding reminiscence of its humble beginnings, the echo of its present victories, and the hope of its promising future without forgetting the heart of its service – the Boholano community.

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Congratulations to my cousin, Junmar A. Sales, on his well-deserved promotion to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy! Your father, Uncle Jun, will be proud!

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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN

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