Zamboanga City- For decades, nightfall in Barangay Sibulao meant darkness—homes lit only by flickering gas lamps, children studying under dim light, and families ending their days early. Today, that long-standing reality has finally changed.
Situated about 60 kilometers from the city proper of Zamboanga City, Sibulao is one of the far-flung communities that waited quietly for years for a simple yet life-changing service: electricity.
Through the Sitio Electrification Project of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), 201 households in Barangay Sibulao are now energized, bringing light, hope, and new beginnings to once-dark homes. The project was made possible through a ₱16-million fundcovering house wiring materials, under the government’s Rural Electrification Program.
The switch-on ceremony was a deeply emotional moment for residents. It was attended by NEA representatives, Engr. Arvin Garduque and Engr. Leonel Ilagan, together with the ZAMCELCO Board of Directors headed by its President Jeffrey Russ Taripe, Barangay Officials, ZAMCELCO personnel, and the very families whose lives were about to change. As the lights came on, cheers and tears filled the air—marking the end of long nights and the beginning of brighter days.
ZAMCELCO Board of Director President Jeffrey Russ B. Taripe expressed his heartfelt gratitude to NEA Administrator Hon. Antonio Mariano Almeda for bringing free house wiring materials and essential services closer to the community of Barangay Sibulao, giving long-awaited access to power for its residents. Barangay officials also conveyed their deep appreciation to NEA and ZAMCELCO, thanking them for finally bringing electricity to their community after years of anticipation.
Among the beneficiaries was a 72-year-old housewife, Antonia Acejas, who has lived in Sibulao since 1972. For more than 50 years, her nights were illuminated only by a gas-powered ‘lampara.’ With emotion in her voice, she shared how her home is now truly bright for the first time.
“Ahora, mas comfortable ya kame y hinde ya tiene miedo na oscuru.” (Now we are more comfortable and no longer afraid of the dark) she said.
Another resident, Felicitas Dela Cruz, who has called Sibulao home for over 40 years, shared that electricity now opens doors to livelihood. With power available, she can finally sell iced water and soft drinks, helping augment her family’s income and bring new opportunities for growth.
The electrification project covered Sitio Patgoma, Sitio Pucutin, Sitio Patmiangun, Sitio Rio Grande, Sitio Buug Mundo and Sitio Bacolod—areas once left in the dark, now filled with light and promise.
This achievement also reflects the commitment of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which continues to push forward its goal of 100 percent household electrification, ensuring that even the most remote communities are not left behind.
As the lights of Barangay Sibulao shone for the first time, they illuminated more than homes—they lit up dreams, livelihoods, and a brighter future for every family now connected to the grid.
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