The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has completed the electrification of its 32,441 sitios within the Palace term of President Aquino.
In a news statement released on Wednesday, the NEA said that the last sitio that has been energized was Sitio Sampaguita in Barangay Calangahan, Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Mr. Aquino led the ceremony of the sitio’s electrification, which is part of the government’s social-reform agenda.
The NEA statement said the administration has allotted a P20.05-billion subsidy for the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).
NEA Administrator Edita Bueno said the SEP will allow basic social services, and support inclusive growth in rural areas.
“Through SEP, more people in the countryside are able to enjoy the benefits of electricity and gain access to basic social services. More rural folks are now empowered to improve their socioeconomic well-being, and make meaningful contributions to nation-building,” she said.
“SEP is one of this government’s strategies to realize inclusive growth for all, especially for those who live in isolated and far-flung areas and for so long endured lack of electricity in their communities,” Bueno added.
The NEA said it had energized 32,688 sitios from October 2011 until March 31 this year, while customer connections amounted to 11.26 million.
The NEA pointed out that the SEP has strengthened its partnership power cooperatives to complete the electrification program, despite natural and man-made calamities, such as typhoons Pablo, Yolanda and Glenda, the Zamboanga City siege and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol.
Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said the NEA is targeting to energize another 1,000 sitios.
“The NEA reached its electrification target already, but is targeting to energize another 1,000 sitios,” she told reporters on Monday.
The SEP is part of the energy department’s target to energize 90 percent of the country’s households by 2017.
NEA is an attached agency of the energy department, mandated to strengthen the electric cooperatives by ensuring efficiency, reliability and global competitiveness.