At least P29.5 billion is needed to energize every nook and cranny of the country, according to the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
The agency said this was based on average cost of P1.5 million required to light up a sitio.
As of end-November 2022, NEA said the so-called electrification rate is at 92 percent where 13,176,923 customers are connected to the electricity grid, leaving 1,168,969 customers still unserved, based on 2015 national census.
As of end-December 2022, NEA said 6,888 sitios have been energized, leaving 10,212 still unlit but seen resolved beginning this year.
NEA explained that of the P29.5 billion, the bulk of P20.8 billion will be for sitio electrification, P2.38 billion for the barangay line enhancement program that will boost existing lines and cater additional load demand.
The NEA allotted P4.9 billion for joint ventures, grants and other programs for the period as P568 million is needed for mainstreaming the program on the use of solar power, P900 million for pursuing the micro grid project and hybridization programs of electric cooperatives (ECs).
Of the 29.5 billion, NEA emphasized that only P23.01 billion were to be sourced from the national government and the rest to be filled by the private sector.
“I believe if we can present this to the President, the Department of Energy and Congress, our plans and target will be supported… I think Congress would be mindful to support the budget for this national program of the government,” said Antonio Mariano Almeda, NEA administrator, in a briefing in Quezon City, on Thursday.
NEA supervises all 121 ECs nationwide and regularly monitors distribution system parameters such as systems loss and reliability, circuit kilometers and substation capacity to ensure they remain operationally reliant and technically efficient in delivering the service.
