For almost three decades now, SUKELCO has remained committed to its mandate of bringing light and development to its coverage area up to the farthest, hilly and mountainous barangay. Today, it has lighted all the 11 municipalities including the City of Tacurong in the province of Sultan Kudarat and 4 municipalities in Maguindanao Province. Its member-consumers have now reached over 46,000 and it still growing. SUKELCO will keep on touching their lives sas it continue to provide prompt, reliable and efficient service at reasonable cost.

      Incorporated as Electric Cooperative, it is a non-stock, non-profit organization initiated by 9 brave heroes coming from the 9 districts in the province of Sultan Kudarat & part of Maguindanao, namely, Agapito Baraquia of Isulan, Amado Bendero of Tacurong, Buenaventura Ramos of Esperanza, Reynaldo Tanilong of Bagumbayan, Domingo Oficiar of Pres. Quirino & Columbio, Ludesto Bautista of Lebak, Nicomedes Abello of Kalamansig and Palimbang, Jovino Morte of Buluan & Datu Paglas and Teofilo Gozalo of Lambayong. It was registered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA), in November 4, 1975. Since then, NEA, a government owned and controlled corporation never abandoned SUKELCO as it provides financial and technical assistance from day one (1) to the present.

      In 1989, MDFI received a financial grant from the United State Agency for International Development(USAID) for an "Upland Agriculture and Environmental Development Project" for a T'boli community in T'boli, South Cotabato. More projects were added in 1990 with the approval and implementation of the "Lampari Tribal Farmers Developmnet Project", "Leadership and Upland Farming Technology Training Project". All these projects benefited B'laan, T'boli, and Maguindanaon communities in the upland and remote barangays of South Cotabato.

      The Co-op started with a loan of P11M from NEA in 1977. Its operation commenced in December 12,1977, when it took over the distribution system of the defunct Mindanao Progress Electric Company (MINPELCO) at Tacurong City with only 910 consumers. SUKELCO has to buy excess power of SPGC-National Grains Authority (NGA) at Tacurong to distribute to its consumers. On October 1, 1978, it started its phase 1 construction of backbone line from Tacurong to Isulan municipality. The first switch-on ceremony was done on June 18, 1979, at Isulan, the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province. Presently, the co-op has constructed over 2,000 kilometers of various electric lines in its franchise area.

      The initial stage of co-op’s operation was very dismal due to poor power supply. Its operation gained momentum when it was connected to the National Power Corporation on September 29, 1980, through its first 69 kv line and 5 MVA substation at Kalandagan, Tacurong municipality. Today, it has grown much bigger and the system is more efficient and reliable with 5 substations at total capacity of 30 MVA strategically planted in the different locations in the coverage area.

      In the coming year 2005, we are putting up another 10 MVA substation in Isulan to address our fast growing power requirement. Negotiations with NAPOCOR’s authorities for the acquisition of one(1) 69 kv line is underway. We prioritize upgrading of our system because it is our commitment to deliver only the best and excellent service to our consumers.

      The coastal towns of Lebak and Kalamansig is operated under NAPOCOR’s Small Island Grid Program. It is served by a 2MVA power barge back up by land based generators. It has total over 4,000 consumers as of December 2004.

      On the other hand, Senator Ninoy Aquino municipality which is 35 kilometers away from the last energized pole of Masiag, Bagumbayan is served 6 hours daily by a 500 kw land based generator owned and operated by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) SPUG group. It has total of 589 consumers as of December 2004.

      After the rate unbundling, both Lebak & Ninoy Aquino sub-offices are subsidized by the main grid. Their income is not enough to sustain their respective operation.

      Palimbang sub-office is a special case. While it is part of Sultan Kudarat province, but its geographically difficult to reach the place by any means of transportation, not to mention the unstable peace and order in the muslim dominated municipality. Before you reach the place, you have to pass by the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani. It is more or less 50 kilometers away from the last energized pole of the municipality of Maitum, Saranggani province, the place that connects to Palimbang municipality and it is served by South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOCOTECO II).

      It is served 4 hours daily by a 250kw land based generator owned by NAPOCOR but the operation and maintenance was assumed by the local government and SUKELCO. The local government takes care of the salaries and wages of the plant operator while SUKELCO shoulders fuel, maintenance and the salaries and wages of the management and technical team assigned in the area. It has a total of 250 consumers. Its income is not even enough to maintain the daily fuel requirement of the generator set aggravated by low collection efficiency. The main grid has poured more of its surplus income in this area, if only to continue its operation.

      Operating the sub-offices is apparent of the co-op’s commitment to its mandate to bring electricity even to the most remote barangay of its franchise area. But somehow, the government must look into these and do something, to improve the power situation in these three (3) sub-offices.