CASTILLEJOS, Zambales — Zambales II Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZAMECO II) will give discount to all residential consumers, while free electricity will be granted to their lifeline consumers.

ZAMECO II General Manager Alvin Farrales said all residents deserve the discount due to the implemented Enhanced Community Quarantine.

“Electric bills for both April and May of all residential consumer accounts will be deducted by one peso per Kilowatt-hour [KWh],” he said in an interview.

As of March 2020, power rate for residential is PhP9.88 per KWh but Farrales said it may be even lower for the month of April.

Moreover, lifeline consumers or those who will consume 25 KWh or less will not be paying electricity charges for the two month billing period.

“This will cost us around PhP1.2 to PhP1.5 million but we have already allocated budget for this,” Farrales disclosed.

The general manager revealed that they have realigned suspended activities which will not affect their operations to subsidize for the discounts.

He explained that the initiatives are in support to the Pantawid Liwanag project of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. and National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperatives.

“Even before the project was announced, we came up with these initiatives to help residents to cope up with the crisis aside from the relief distribution we’ve conducted,” he furthered.

Moreover, about 200 employees and officers from the electric coop committed to donate PhP5,000 of their monthly salary as addition to subsidize the discount and free charges for consumers.

“With this, we want our member-consumer-owners to feel that this cooperative is theirs,” Farrales stressed. (PIA 3)

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales– Zambales II Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZAMECO II) distributed Monday kits with food and hygiene essentials to frontliners combating the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

ZAMECO II General Manager Alvin Farrales said the distributed kits aim to serve as appreciation to frontline workers who are risking their lives at the checkpoints.

“Our objective is to boost the morale of our frontline workers. Like them, ZAMECO II employees are also frontline workers. Our workers, especially from maintenance and operations, continue to serve 24/7 to provide electricity services,” he said.

About 2,598 kits were already distributed to 111 barangays, seven rural health units, police and fire stations, and to San Marcelino District Hospital. The kit contains breads, bottled water, washable face mask, hand sanitizer, and vitamins.

Frontline workers in Barangay Burgos in San Antonio, Zambales receive food and essential kits from Zambales II Electric Cooperative Inc. (ZAMECO II)

Farrales also shared that information technology employees are also extending assistance to the San Marcelino police station in the issuance of travel pass in the town.

Moreover, ZAMECO II continue to serve member-consumer-owners for necessary concerns and assistance as they have opened their main and collection office in Castillejos, and service centers in Subic and San Antonio.

“To keep our service flowing, we opened select offices in the province. Prior to this, we made sure employees are safe and secured by properly observing social distancing and disinfecting our facilities,” he stressed.

ZAMECO II has already complied with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide payment extension and to suspend electric disconnection.