MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III has directed the Department of Budget and Management to release P1.108 billion for the two major electrification programs of National Electrification Administration, a government press release said.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said P518.92 million of the fund will be used to implement the Barangay Line Enhancement Project, which is aimed at improving electric services in 202 villages around the country.

He also said that P589.32 million will be allocated for the Sitio Electrification Project, targeted to connect 833 sitios to the nation's power grid.

NEA had set a five-year goal (2011-2015) for the implementation of the BLEP and SEP to improve electricity in 2,341 villages and to light up 32,441 sitios all over the country, Abad said.

“The P1.108-billion release will allow the NEA to provide electricity to off-grid sitios and other unelectrified communities, as well as improve the delivery of basic services in the countryside so that power disruptions and other connection-related problems are prevented,” he said.

Abad said that the recent allocation was in addition to the P814 million released by DBM to NEA in the last quarter of 2011.

He said that the initial release “enabled the agency to energize 1,520 unconnected sitios, significantly more than the targeted 1,410.”

The release was charged against the Department of Energy’s Malampaya Fund.

“In exceeding its set targets for sitio electrification, the Aquino administration, together with the DOE and the NEA, reaffirms its goal of connecting more un-energized communities to the national grid,” Abad said.

By giving these sitios better access to electricity, we can empower more Filipinos—particularly those living in remote areas—into becoming productive members of their communities, and ultimately, of society, he said.

The two NEA programs also provided additional jobs among the residents as some of them were hired as electricians and laborers, Abad said.

He also said the programs increased demand for electrical supplies, equipment, and logistical services, shoring up the construction industry in several areas.

Abad also said that “many of us living in urbanized areas take electricity for granted, but for the residents of these communities, being connected to the power grid is a significant step toward improving their lives and strengthening their foothold in the economy.”*PNA

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