In its effort to avoid delays in the implementation of subsidy-funded projects, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) warned all electric cooperatives (ECs) against blacklisted contractors.

As stated in NEA Memorandum 2023-23, ECs are enjoined to charge and impose liquidated damages against erring contractors for any and all delays incurred in the implementation of the projects, pursuant to the provisions of their respective contracts with the contractors.

The NEA also instructed all electric cooperatives to submit a list of blacklisted contractors, which will be posted on the NEA website.

"All blacklisted contractors are no longer eligible to bid contracts in any and all electric cooperatives for a period of one (1) year, reckoned from the time of posting on the NEA website," the NEA said in its memorandum. Administrative sanctions shall be imposed on ECs who will accept bids from blacklisted contractors.

Moreover, the NEA reminded the ECs to strictly adhere to the agency's issuances on the Procurement Activities for Subsidy-Funded Projects such as NEA Memorandum No. 2017-037 or the "Compliance to Memorandum of Agreement, Revised IRR - RA 9184 and NEA Guidelines and Policies Re: Subsidy Funds for Sitio Electrification Projects," NEA Memorandum 2018-032 or the "Procurement Activities for Subsidy-Funded Projects," NEA Advisory dated 09 May 2018, or the "Procurement Activities for Subsidy-Funded Projects," and NEA Advisory dated 01 June 2020, or the "Implementation of Republic Act (R.A.) 9184 on Subsidy-Funded Projects."

For the year 2023, the NEA, in partnership with the 121 electric cooperatives, aims to electrify 1,085 sitios 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).###