Rural electrification on track to hit 94% nationwidex

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December 14, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The National Electrification Administration (NEA) expects rural electrification to reach 94 percent by next year, bringing power within reach of more households in the countryside.

In an interview, NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said the agency is counting on the increased 2026 budget for sitio electrification to extend electricity access to even the most far-flung communities.

“From P2.8 billion, I think we have already doubled to P5 billion, not to mention the motions to include an additional P4 billion,” Almeda said.

He noted that the Philippines is on track to close the year with rural electrification hitting about 91.7 percent, up from 89 percent last year.

With a boosted budget, NEA plans to prioritize Mindanao, focusing on geographically isolated and underserved areas, Almeda said.

“Mostly in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). These really are areas in the country that need help,” the NEA chief said.

Also on NEA’s radar are communities in northern Luzon and the Negros Island region in the Visayas.

NEA drives the country’s rural electrification efforts through its implementing arm, the electric cooperatives.

As of end-June, NEA had energized and completed 584 sitios, raising the total to 11,014 since 2017 and bringing the rural electrification rate to 90.6 percent.

Recently, NEA signed a memorandum of agreement with Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to roll out a P5-billion power infrastructure upgrade in Palawan. Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) and the Palawan provincial government were also signatories in the agreement.

Under the partnership, MIC will conduct a feasibility study on Paleco’s existing power infrastructure, identifying opportunities for cost-effective upgrades and modernization.

The study’s findings are set to help the country’s sovereign wealth fund manager decide whether to invest in the modernization projects.

Paleco will bring its technical and operational expertise to the partnership, while NEA will ensure the program is implemented seamlessly and in full compliance with the agreement.

“I’m expecting that we will finish the implementation and it’ll be up and running by June 2028,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has said.