The NEA Board of Administrators approved the Amendment to the NEA Memorandum No. 2022-035 or the "Revised Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the Strategized Total Electrification Program (STEP)."

The amendment pertains to the inclusion of the mechanics and parameters for the selection of EC beneficiaries under the Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP), which form part of STEP.

Under the said mechanics and parameters, Priority/Tier 1 will be those electric cooperatives with an energization level of only 84 percent and below, with poverty incidence level 1 (80% and up), level 2 (60-80%) and level 3 (40-60%), and with peace and order problem. Tier 2 will be ECs with an energization level of 85-94 percent and with poverty incidence level 4 (20-40%) and level 5 (0-20%). Those with an energization level of 95% and above, and with poverty incidence levels 1 to 5 will fall under Tier 3.

ECs must liquidate and include their BLEP projects in their Comprehensive Electrification Masterplan (CEMP) or their Total Electrification Masterplan (TEMP). BLEP is the enhancement of distribution lines to barangays previously powered by gen-sets, solar home systems and other renewable energy technologies. It also involves the improvement of tapping points, underground and submarine cable systems, and the NPC Spug unserved/underserved areas.

The amendment to the said NEA Memo shall take effect on subsidy-funded projects for FY 2023 onwards.###