The National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) held a consultative meeting on Friday, 04 April 2025, to discuss the proposed implementation of the Liwanag at Tubig Assistance Welfare (LITAW) Program.

The proposal aims to provide continuous electricity and water access to vulnerable households during disasters, according to NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda. He emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating that access to electricity and water is fundamental, especially in times of crisis.

“Our gathering today signals not just a discussion of policy, but a shared commitment to uplift the lives of our ‘kababayans’ (countrymen), especially in the most vulnerable sectors of our society,” Almeda said in his opening remarks.

“By energizing homes and establishments, we provide Filipinos with the opportunity to participate in socio-economic activities. And in times of disaster, electricity and water become even more vital—often becoming a matter of life or death,” he added.

Present to discuss the program during the consultative meeting were DSWD Undersecretary Monina Josefina Romualdez, Director Edwin Morata of the Protective Services Bureau – Crisis Intervention Division, and Atty. Alfonso Paw Jr., Chief of Staff of Senate Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino.

The LITAW Program, to be spearheaded by the DSWD, aims to assist qualified beneficiaries by ensuring their utilities remain connected during calamities. Administrator Almeda reaffirmed his support for the initiative, highlighting the role of electric cooperatives (ECs) in its implementation.

“We understand that during crises, affected households focus on immediate survival, and utility bills are often a secondary concern. Therefore, this program is not just about financial assistance, it is about recovery, dignity, and resilience,” the NEA chief said.

Officials from the NEA and the DSWD, alongside representatives from ECs, discussed how to operationalize the program effectively. The Administrator encouraged active participation to enhance the agencies' ability to assist member-consumer-owners (MCOs) before, during, and after disasters.###