MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon — In a landmark decision during its 41st Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) on July 26, 2025, the Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) of the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (BUSECO) approved Resolution No. 25-04, endorsing a proposed ₱1.77-billion capital expenditure (CAPEX) plan spanning 2026 to 2028

The assembly, synchronized across 173 barangay sites, was anchored at the Father Francisco G. Silva and BUSECO Partners and Associates RQIM Hall in the cooperative’s main office in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Once implemented, the proposed CAPEX will entail an indicative rate adjustment of ₱0.8905 per kilowatt-hour. The resolution also includes a request for prayers and support for the issuance of a provisional authority and the procurement of loans from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and/or other financial institutions.

The initiative aligns with Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Resolution No. 20, series of 2011, which adopts revised timelines for filing multi-year CAPEX applications by electric cooperatives, as prescribed in Section 6.2 of the Amended Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities’ CAPEX Projects.

BUSECO, classified under the First Entrant Group, was mandated to submit its regulatory period CAPEX application on or before April 30, 2025. Meeting this requirement, the Board of Directors (BOD) had earlier passed Resolution No. 25-04-12 on the same date.

BUSECO management underscored that the proposed investments aim to enhance the cooperative’s distribution system for greater sustainability and reliability.

Among the major projects presented were: ₱424.07 million for the acquisition of the Talakag area from MORESCO-1; ₱168.11 million for the construction of an 8.5-km 69kV line and a 10MVA Imbatug Substation; ₱150.72 million for transportation equipment; ₱149.18 million for the extension of distribution lines; ₱129.31 million for the construction of a 40.5-km 69kV line interconnection from San Vicente, Sumilao to Casisang Substation – Phase 1 in Malaybalay City; ₱117.25 million for office equipment; ₱114.70 million for standard connection facilities for new consumers; ₱113.27 million for the supply and installation of a 5MVA Malitbog Substation; and other supporting projects.

The assembly also resolved to furnish a copy of the approved resolution to NEA in Quezon City for their information and reference.

According to KASANAG, BUSECO’s official publication, the cooperative had a total of 152,869 consumers and assets amounting to ₱2.64 billion as of December 2024.

A consistent achiever, BUSECO—classified as a Mega Large Category electric cooperative—garnered 17 NEA Lumens Awards and Philreca Awards from The Wires in 2024.

The utility currently serves Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Talakag, Libona, Baungon, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, Cabanglasan, and Barangay Lilingayon in Valencia City. (melbmadera)