The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has pledged full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to speed up household electrification and address recurring power supply issues, following his 2025 State of the Nation Address.

“The NEA is resolute in its commitment to energizing more households nationwide in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as outlined in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA),” said Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda. “We welcome the President’s challenge as a reaffirmation of our mission—and we reiterate our readiness to deliver concrete results.”

In his address, Marcos acknowledged that energy access remains a pressing concern, with three million households still living without electricity. “Tatlong milyong kabahayan na wala pang kuryente” (Three million households still do not have electricity), he said. He noted that since 2022, 2.5 million homes have been energized, and projected that another one million will gain access to electricity through solar home systems by 2028.

“Hahabulin at tutuparin ng DOE at NEA ang nakatakdang dami ng mga kabahayang makakabitan ng kuryente ngayong taon hanggang 2028 (The DOE and NEA will work to meet the targeted number of households to be electrified this year through 2028),” the President added.

Almeda emphasized that the NEA “fully embraces the President’s call for the energy sector to accelerate access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity, particularly in off-grid and underserved communities.”

He said the agency will continue to collaborate with partner electric cooperatives (ECs) to hasten the deployment of solar home systems and other renewable energy solutions in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), as part of its broader strategy to ensure that “no Filipino community is left behind in the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.”

Marcos also singled out Siquijor, where prolonged outages recently led to a state of calamity. “Hindi ko palalampasin ang nangyari kamakailan sa Siquijor” (I will not let what happened in Siquijor pass), he said, citing issues such as expired permits and neglected generators.

“Titiyakin namin na maitatag agad ang mga pasilidad para sa pangmatagalang lunas sa kanilang problema sa kuryente. Hindi na dapat ito maulit muli (We will ensure that long-term facilities are put in place to resolve their electricity problems. This must not happen again),” Marcos added.

Almeda said the NEA is “in regular coordination” with the Department of Energy (DOE), under the leadership of Secretary Sharon Garin, to implement practical, long-term solutions addressing electricity-related concerns in areas such as Siquijor and other island provinces facing unique energy challenges. “Our collaboration with the DOE remains strong and constant,” he added.

“As part of our commitment under the 2023–2028 National Electrification Plan, we are intensifying efforts to bring power to more unserved sitios and barangays across the country,” Almeda said. “We are focused, determined, and unwavering in our goal to energize every Filipino home—because we believe that power precedes progress.”

What areas do you think NEA and DOE should prioritize next? Share your insights on how the country can achieve full electrification. 

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