PHILRECA General Manager's Message

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE EVENT: 45th Anniversary WHEN: October 5, 2018, Friday (3:00pm) WHERE: Gen. Pedro Dumol Hall, BENECO Headquarters, SouthDrive, Baguio City. THEME: Building Bonds, Strengthening Ties for a Brighter and Globally Connected Community Building Bonds, Strengthening Ties for a Brighter and Globally Connected Community

Undersecretary Denis F. Villorente of DICT; GM Gerardo P. Verzosa; Board President Rocky Aliping, esteemed members of the board, department heads and the hardworking employees, distinguished guests who have taken the time and effort to be present here today. Naimbag nga rabii kadatayo amin! Thank you for inviting me to join you on this momentous celebration, your 45th Anniversary. It is a special honor for me to be with you today. As one of the service awardees for having been with the cooperative for 10 years, I have witnessed the ups and challenges of this cooperative. For every challenge, BENECO stood up and only became stronger and better.

Congratulations to BENECO as you embark on another year of service in fulfillment of your mission to electrify every home in Baguio City and Benguet. BENECO started with only seven (7) clerks using a very small rented office. BENECO did not even have its own supplies back then. Tables and chairs are borrowed. The first group of workers was able to work using office supplies donated by civic-minded and cooperative-oriented citizens.

But look at where we are now! We are classified as a triple A mega large cooperative. BENECO has definitely gone far in the past four decades. All these have been fulfilled through the dedication and perseverance of every individual that comprises BENECO, who are all worthy of praise and commendation. More importantly, the synergy amongst all the leaders, workforce, and member-consumer-owners has brought the co-op to where it is now.

BENECO has withstand the tests of time – from earthquakes, typhoons, especially the most recent one, and other challenges from nature. You have been very resilient, to say the least. And for that, you should indeed be very proud.

BENECO has been a pioneer electric cooperative in so many ways than one. • You have consistently offered electricity at a very low cost, not only by regional standards, but at a national scope as well. • You have invested in modern systems and equipment for SMART GRID development. • The mini-hydro generation plants in your franchise area is a major achievement and such development of renewable resource is something that ever electric cooperative should emulate.

My point simply is this: It would not be a surprise if BENECO will continue to be the benchmark of efficiency and innovation in the region, if not in the country. So, kudos to you all!!!

I would like to take this opportunity, however, to tell you that with all these achievements, successes, and more, we are a part of a bigger community. Your theme says it all: BUILDING BONDS… STRENGTHENING TIES… A BRIGHTER AND GLOBALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITY. We create and build more bonds. We nurture and strengthen ties. We reach out and connect. We learn from them; they learn from us.

Because as mighty as anyone could ever be, in the long run, we still cannot survive on our own. I sincerely pray that more than aiming for being a trademark of excellence, we would never forget the fact that a pack of wolves is tougher, irrepressible, and stronger than a lone wolf. TOGETHER WE STAND; DIVIDED WE FALL.

Now, I would like to end this message with a personal message. I would like to extend my profound gratitude, my greatest appreciation for all BENECO has given me in the last 10 years with the leadership of GM Gerry. BENECO has significantly contributed in shaping who I am today. BENECO introduced me to the noble movement of rural electrification and I embraced it with passion. At PHILRECA, I am facing new challenges in a new arena. I am sailing an uncharted territory in my life. New responsibilities, new accountabilities, new battles. I may be a little scared (who would not be?), but I am definitely not unwilling. BENECO has been the wind beneath my wings. And for that, I am so much grateful. Thank you for welcoming me again today, and hopefully this would not be the last. My door at PHILRECA will always be open to all of you.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay tayong lahat!

ATTY. JANEENE DEPAY-COLINGAN Executive Director/General Manager