The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing ahead with the plan to achieve 100 percent household electrification, targeting to provide electricity to 2.6 million homes in far-flung areas.
In a post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) discussion on infrastructure and energy security on Wednesday, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said the electrification strategy consists of three main approaches: micro-grids, solarized homes, and streamlined grid connections.
“Para po sa electrification, ang na-mention ng Presidente, ito po iyong mga areas na malayo at magastos din sa electric cooperative ang paglagay ng linya,” Garin said.
Garin said that electrification has reached 95 percent coverage, with the DOE and National Electrification Administration (NEA) working to complete the final five percent.
“Mga 2.5 million homes po iyan ang mako-cover kung mag-cooperate lang lahat – NEA, DOE at saka iyong ating mga LGU. So, iyon po iyong sistema… Ang electrification niyan, aabot ng mga 2.6 million. Kaunting-kaunti na lang at aabot na tayo ng one hundred percent,” Garin added.
Garin said micro-grid systems will serve as stand-alone power solutions combining solar panels, batteries, and backup diesel generators, directly connecting to homes in far-flung sitios. The DOE is currently seeking private investors to build and operate these systems.
Solar home systems will also be rolled out to individual households, complete with solar panels, wiring, battery storage, a light bulb, and a radio that can charge mobile phones.
The third track aims to simplify the process for homes near existing power lines that remain unconnected due to high application fees and permit requirements. Garin said the DOE and the NEA are working to reduce or waive such fees to accelerate connections.
Garin also highlighted the administration’s increased investment in NEA from PhP1 billion to PhP2 billion to PhP5 billion, calling it “historical” compared with the allocation in previous administrations.
“Sa panahon po ng Presidente po, itong administration, dati kasi ang budget ng NEA for electrification ay PhP1 billion, PhP2 billion. Ngayon po, dalawang taon na, PhP5 billion ang inilalagay ng Presidente and that is quite historical,” Garin said. | PND
