Gov’t close to hitting electrification target

The government is close to hitting its target of 90 percent household electrification by 2017, with the electrification level expected to hit 86.2 percent by the end of the Aquino administration’s term next year.

This is according to former Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla who, during his term, laid the groundwork for faster implementation of government’s electrification program.

“As of end-November last year, the DOE already achieved 80 percent of the target. Reaching the 90 percent goal by 2017 is almost in the bag,” said the former energy chief who is currently running for senator under the Liberal Party.

The 86.20-percent household electrification target by 2016 is equivalent to 19.55 million households from only 14.54 million households in 2010, Petilla said in a press statement citing data from the department’s 2016 budget.

Data from the Electric Power Industry Reform Act 26th status report showed that household electrification stands at end-November 2014 level of 79.9 percent. This corresponds to 17.4 million energized households out of the estimated total 21.8 million households.

According to the report, Luzon has the highest household electrification level at 89.3 percent. Mindanao, on the other hand, still has the lowest electrification level at 56.3 percent.

Various agencies support the energy department’s household electrification program. These include the National Electrification Administration’s Sitio Electrification Program, its Barangay Line Enhancement Program as well as the rationalization of implementation of Energy Regulations 1-94 Electrification Funds.

Other programs include the Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification 2015 to 2017, the government’s Solar PV Mainstreaming Program, Qualified Third Party Approach, Philippine Rural Electrification Service Project and other initiatives by the government’s partner organizations.

Petilla resigned in April and endorsed Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada to take over the helm of the department, saying that the longtime energy department executive would be able to continue the programs and reforms he earlier put in place.