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DOE Recognized TAWELCO’s Efforts to Better Financial Management
Date published: Feb 18 2026 10:30 AM
MEDIA RELEASE
18 February 2026
DOE Recognized TAWELCO’s Efforts to Better Financial Management
Taguig City - The Department of Energy (DOE) reported that Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TAWELCO) has been consistently meeting its payment obligations under the Financial Debt Restructuring Agreement signed on 15 December 2025 and witnessed by the DOE, based on a status update submitted by Kaltimex Rural Energy Corp. (KALTIMEX) during a recent coordination meeting led by Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.
KALTIMEX President Oscar A. Torralba said TAWELCO, under the leadership of Project Supervisor/Acting General Manager Peraida T. Jalani, has maintained timely compliance with its amortization schedule and operational commitments. KALTIMEX received on 10 February 2026 a check for ₱10 million as down payment and ₱500,000 corresponding to TAWELCO’s first amortization payment under the restructuring agreement.
The DOE described the development as a significant step in TAWELCO’s financial recovery efforts, noting that continued compliance reflects the cooperative’s organizational capacity and determination to address longstanding financial management challenges while ensuring stable and reliable electricity service in its franchise area.
Undersecretary Guevara commended Acting general Manager Jalani and the TAWELCO team for honoring their commitments under the restructuring agreement and for taking decisive actions to resolve recurring financial issues affecting the cooperative. She described TAWELCO as “the EC that can,” emphasizing that accountable leadership and sound governance are essential to sustaining reforms and delivering dependable power supply.
TAWELCO’s improved performance underscores that with strengthened governance structures, accountability mechanisms, close coordination with stakeholders, and support from partner institutions, off-grid utilities can meet their financial obligations while continuously enhancing service delivery.
The DOE emphasized that consistent adherence to the restructuring agreement remains crucial to solidifying TAWELCO’s financial position and advancing broader efforts to improve energy access in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Sulu Archipelago. The Department reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with KALTIMEX, TAWELCO, and local stakeholders to sustain progress and ensure reliable, responsive, and sustainable off-grid power services. xxx