Around 1,400 personnel from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and its partner electric cooperatives (ECs) showed up at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Sunday (28 January 2024), to support the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) thrust of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda led the NEA-EC delegation at the kick-off rally, representing the rural electrification sector—a critical component in the government’s broader ambition to provide Filipinos universal access to electricity nationwide.

The NEA faces the challenge of achieving 100 percent total electrification by 2028. In transforming the Philippines towards this agenda, the state-owned corporation recently embarked on various collaborative ventures with other stakeholders.

In his gatherings with different EC leaders and organizations recently, Administrator Almeda called on his colleagues to “keep up with his pace,” so they can accelerate ongoing projects to stay on track of the 100 percent total electrification target.

This is consistent with President Marcos’ statement, urging all employees in the public sector to act quickly. “Services must be fast, projects must be completed on time, deadlines must be met per schedule, distress calls must be responded to without delay,” he said in his speech.

Joining the NEA at the “Bagong Pilipinas” kick off rally were 13 ECs from nearby Central Luzon and Calabarzon provinces namely those in Tarlac (TARELCO I and II), Pampanga (PELCO I, II, III and PRESCO), Nueva Ecija (NEECO I, NEECO II Areas 1 and 2), Bataan (PENELCO), Zambales (ZAMECO II), and Batangas (BATELEC I and II). ###