The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has earmarked the bulk of its PHP 3.6-billion rural electrification budget for 2025 to support Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), with Mindanao receiving the largest portion at PHP 2.5 billion, accounting for 68% of the total.

Data from NEA’s Total Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Department (TEREDD) show that proposed projects in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Sur, North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and Sulu are in line to benefit from this major push. BARMM provinces Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao del Norte and Sur, and Lanao del Sur are also included in the rollout.

Luzon has been allocated PHP 701.2 million (19%) for electrification in Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. Visayas will receive PHP 462.6 million (13%) to improve electricity access in Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, and Eastern and Northern Samar.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda emphasized the significance of the funding boost, noting in a recent radio interview that the PHP 3.6-billion allocation from the Department of Budget and Management is a major leap from the PHP 1.6 to PHP 1.8 billion the agency had been receiving in past years.

Administrator Almeda attributed the increase to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improving electricity access in underserved areas and reaching the total electrification goal by 2028.

NEA is pursuing a three-pronged strategy through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP), Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP), and the Solar Photovoltaic Mainstreaming Program (PVM).

Calling the PVM a “gamechanger,” Administrator Almeda said it enables power delivery to hard-to-reach locations. For 2025, the agency aims to distribute 50,000 to 60,000 solar home systems (SHS). To date, 26,292 SHS units have already been deployed through NEA’s network of 121 electric cooperatives.

“It’s an uphill climb and challenging, but the NEA is fully determined to reach people on the mountainside,” Administrator Almeda said.

What are your thoughts on NEA’s rural electrification priorities and the increased role of solar solutions? Join the discussion.

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