NEA rolls out P36-B electrification for 2017

By Myrna M. Velasco – February 13, 2017, 10:00 PM

from Manila Bulletin

State-run agency National Electrification Administration (NEA) has firmed up the rollout of P35.57 billion energization venture for this year that shall cover 23,713 sitios, mostly in far-flung jurisdictions.

NEA said it will be spending P1.5 million per sitio for the electrification program that they had set out for government this 2017.

Last year, the agency reported the completion of electrification in 3,335 sitios in various parts of the country. That electrification loop entailed P2.7 billion worth of capital outlay.

Anchoring it on the Duterte administration’s thrust to step up the country’s economic ascend, NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong noted that they will complement that by providing the basic need of electricity in every area which is under their jurisdiction.

Masongsong noted that the agency joins this administration’s impetus at “ensuring that every single Filipino in the remotest areas enjoys the benefits of electricity.”

Linked to the electrification initiative had been the line enhancements being pursued also by NEA, initially for 181 barangays last year that was funneled a budget of P1.031 billion.

Masongsong said these domains have been within the service areas of Samar I Electric Cooperative, Inc., Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Region 8. So far, 54 barangays have been identified needing those line enhancements.

Additionally, those served by Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, Inc., Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc., Iloilo III Electric Cooperative, Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc., Bohol II Electric Cooperative and Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative had their distribution system upgraded too.