The National Electrification Administration (NEA) needs P35.57 billion to energize over 23,000 sitios nationwide this year.
Congress, the NEA said on Wedensday, will partly guarantee funding for the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). “The NEA is thankful to the President, and the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, for guaranteeing funding support for the program with the inclusion of some P1.8 billion in the approved 2017 General Appropriations Act [GAA] for the electrification of 2,410 sitios for 2017.”
The NEA has identified around 23,713 sitios for energization this year, which requires P35.57 billion, or P1.5 million per sitio.
In 2016 the NEA and the electric cooperatives (ECs) have succeeded in energizing 3,335 sitios nationwide, 185 more than its target for 2016. About P2.7 billion was spent to electrify 100,050 more households in the 3,335 sitios nationwide.
“The continued intensification of rural electrification is in line with the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte’s thrust of aggressively pursuing socioeconomic 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,” NEA Administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.
To improve service reliability to member-consumer-owners of the ECs, the NEA has also undertaken line enhancement in 181 barangays last year with a total budget of P1.031 billion. Most of these projects were within the coverage areas of Samelco I, Esamelco and Norsamelco in Region 8 with 54 barangays for line enhancement. Biselco, Omeco, Ileco III, Noneco, Boheco II and Surseco II upgraded their distribution system through submarine cable facilities, benefiting 11 barangays in their respective areas, with an aggregate project cost of P271.77 million.
“The NEA is committed to be the vanguard of the country’s rural electrification program. We are one in ensuring that every single Filipino in the remotest areas enjoys the benefits of electricity,” Masongsong added.