MANILA, Philippines—The Aquino administration has released P7.68 billion to the National Electrification Administration to energize off-grid communities in various areas in the country, the Department of Budget and Management said Tuesday.
“The Aquino administration is putting more [villages] and sitios on the grid this year so they can finally gain access to power services. This is a crucial step in helping these communities and their residents take control of their socio-economic development. Many of these communities are located in remote and far-flung parts of the country, and connecting them to the grid will allow families to stay productive even after sundown,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said in a statement.
The DBM said it will be charged against NEA’s budget under the 2014 General Appropriations Act, P6.36 billion of the total amount released will support the implementation of the Sitio Electrification Project (SEP). Of this amount, three Notices of Cash Allocation totaling P3.29 billion have so far been released to support the electrification of an initial 4,395 sitios.
P1.26 billion has also been allotted for the Barangay (village) Line Enhancement Project (BLEP).
The remaining P57.8 million of the total amount released has been set aside for the implementation of both the SEP and BLEP in conflict-affected areas covered by the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.
“Now that we are at the cusp of formally establishing lasting peace in the Bangsamoro, we can focus even more closely on pursuing socio-economic development in the region. Access to electricity is one of the basic services that Bangsamoro communities will receive, alongside other peace and economic interventions. This is exactly what we mean when we say ‘inclusive growth,’ where the benefits of economic growth can truly be felt by everyone,” Abad said.
Data from DBM as of June 30 said a total of 16,467 sitios have been completely energized through the SEP since 2011. BLEP has likewise enhanced a total of 436 villages during the same period.
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