The National Electrification Administration (NEA) will pour P35.57 billion in funds to strengthen its electrification program in over 23,00 sitios in the country.
“The continued intensification of rural electrification is in line with the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s thrust of aggressively pursuing socio-economic programs that would reduce, if not eliminate, poverty incidence in the rural areas of the country through the provision of reliable, efficient and affordable electricity,” said NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong.
Under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP), an estimated P1.5 million will go to each sitio, NEA said.
“NEA is committed to be the vanguard of the country’s rural electrification program. The men and women of NEA remain steadfast in their commitment to bring light and hope to the people. We are one in ensuring that every single Filipino in the remotest areas enjoys the benefits of electricity,” Masongsong said.
President Rodrigo Duterte and both houses of Congress approved the inclusion of P1.8 billion in the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2,410 sitios this year.
In 2016, the agency rolled out P2.7 billion in funds to power 3,335 sitios nationwide, breaching its target of 3,150 sitios.
The agency also worked on line enhancement in 181 barangays to improve service reliability to member-consumers-owners of electric cooperatives (ECs). Some also upgraded their distribution systems through submarine cable facilities.