NEA targets 68K homes for electrification by 2025

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has unveiled its plans to energize more households this year and in 2025.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda made the announcement during the agency’s 56th anniversary celebration, held Thursday at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, alongside the 16th National Electrification Awareness Month.

Themed Powering the Future, the event highlighted NEA’s ongoing mission to bring electricity to underserved communities.

Almeda said they aim to energize 18,255 households this year through the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and the Barangay Line Enhancement Program.

This target will be achieved through 594 projects under SEP and four major projects under the barangay enhancement program.

“This will mean an additional 18,255 households will gain access to electricity,” he said.

Almeda noted that expanding household connections is only one part of the equation.

“If the lines cannot deliver reliable and high-quality power, they only contribute to system losses for the electric cooperatives,” he said.

He added that he and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin are working to improve distribution backbone and sub-transmission systems by 2025.

Almeda also highlighted the Photovoltaic Mainstreaming (PVM) Program, which brings solar power to off-grid areas.

“Through the PVM, we are able to bring power to homes and families in areas once considered too remote to energize,” he said.

He reported that 1,990 households were energized under the PVM program in 2024 through NEA’s collaboration with partner cooperatives.

“By the end of 2025, we aim to energize around 50,000 additional households under this program, with more to follow,” he said.

Almeda emphasized that electrification is not just about numbers.

“True progress isn’t measured only in numerical targets,” he said.

“While metrics are important, they can feel impersonal. We must remain connected to the people and communities we serve.”

He also announced a new partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to electrify far-flung schools.

“This initiative will bring solar-powered systems to schools without electricity. It will empower students and enhance teaching capabilities,” he said.

“Education and electrification are interconnected drivers of development.”

Almeda reaffirmed NEA’s commitment to fulfilling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of nationwide electrification.

He noted that the call has been answered by leaders across the executive, legislative, and private sectors.

“We’ve seen steady increases in financial and technical engagement toward ongoing efforts,” he said, thanking Garin for her support.

Almeda stressed that NEA and electric cooperatives were created not for profit, but to serve rural communities.

“With a limited national budget, we must face the reality of a challenging road to total electrification,” he said.

“But I am fully committed to our mission and to supporting the President’s vision for our country.”

“Powering the future isn’t just about connecting homes—it’s about supporting the nation’s industrial development and helping lift people out of poverty.”

He underscored the need not only for energization, but for uninterrupted, secure, and high-quality power.

“This is the real task ahead of us,” he said.

“And that’s what Powering the Future truly means. We will rise to the challenge—and we will not disappoint.”