THE total number of ailing electric cooperatives (ECs) have declined to eight as of end-2019, with the majority located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

In a recent interview, NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said problematic ECs are the Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco), Albay Electric Cooperative Inc. (Aleco), Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc. (Maselco), Ticao Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (Tiselco), Tawi-tawi Electric Cooperative Inc. (Tawelco), Basilan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Baselco), Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. (Lasureco), and Sulu Electric Cooperative Inc. (Suleco).