The National Electrification Administration aims to electrify 1,085 sitios for the year 2023 under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP).

PhP1.627 billion is allocated to energize 350 sitios in Luzon, 336 sitios in Visayas and 399 sitios in Mindanao this year, subject to evaluation and validation in accordance with the provisions of the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In a press conference on Thursday, 02 February 2023, NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda appealed to the electric cooperatives (ECs) to fast-track the liquidation of their previously funded projects in order for them to get another round of the SEP budget.

"Kung mayroon pang pending liquidation, hindi puwedeng bigyan ulit ng pondo so I want to address this. Liquidation should be timely, transparent and accounted for," Administrator Almeda said.

For the last six years (2017-2022), the NEA and the ECs were able to energize 6,888 sitios notwithstanding inadequate funds and the pandemic. The remaining 10,212 sitios excluding those that are under the off-grid areas are yet to be energized from 2023 to 2028.

"The estimated project cost for the energization of 10,212 sitios is PhP20.794 billion. For off-grid areas, there are about 23,000 households that need to be electrified so in total we will be needing PhP29.5 billion," the NEA Chief told the media.

With the limited subsidy from the national government, the NEA intends to achieve total electrification by securing counterpart funds from the local government units, and if needed consider the participation of the private sector in off-grid and unviable areas, and accessing grants and donations from local and foreign institutions, among others.

The NEA and the ECs will remain steadfast in pursuing sustainable development in rural areas through rural electrification.###