BENECO engineers excel in UP-Diliman technical competency programs

By LAARNI S. ILAGAN

(Upper Photo) Credits from FB of UP-NEC , (Lower) Awarding of Certificates. BENECO File Photo

BENECO engineers excelled in the various technical competency programs they have attended at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Jeriel Velasco, an engineer at the Network Services Department (NSD), topped his batch for the Competency Development Program I (CPD I) for Distribution System Modeling and Analysis Training given at UP’s National Engineering Center.

Ronel Miro, also an NSD engineer came in at No. 4.

Around 40 to 50 electrical engineers per group are sent by their electric cooperatives to attend the intensive and highly technical CPD programs to enhance their skill son the various aspects of running the distribution system.

The previous batch for the same training also saw Sheraine Mae Willy and Maureen Ramirez graduating as top 2 and 10, respectively.

Ivory Paatan, an accountant, and Reza Apalla, also an engineer, hurdled their own training which is CPD-4 for Power Supply Planning, Procurement Scheduling and Dispatch.

Like other ECs, BENECO has been sending its engineers to UP-NEC for CPD-1, CPD-4, and CPD 6 which is Distribution System Protection.

Rolly Agbuya and Rona Descheree, both engineers, leveled-up their competencies by exploring system protection techniques under CPD 6.

The training is part of the UP-NEC’s program which was launched anew after it stopped in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The CPD trainings was an offshoot of UP NEC’s partnership with BENECO then during the time of the later general manager Gerardo Verzosa.

Verzosa asked the UP-NEC to train the cooperative’s engineers by providing a competency program. The UP-NEC, through Prof. Wally del Mundo, then came to Baguio City every Saturday to teach the engineers.

“This trailblazing move in the year 2000 became the basis to launch CPD programs for other electric cooperatives but this time, the trainings were conducted at UP,” said Leonard Atam, NSD’s system control and protection supervisor.

The CPD participants were recognized during the November 15th employees assembly. (LSI)