P814M released to power up 1,410 barrios

Malacañang has released P814.4 million to provide electricity to 1,410 barrios throughout the archipelago.

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said in a statement that the fund disbursed to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) would address the urgent need for power in 33,370 sitios that are without power.

The top three regions where bulk of the funds would be disbursed under the NEA’s Sitio Electrication Program (SEP) are Northern Mindanao, accounting for P116.9 million to power up 184 sitios (settlements); Bicol, with P84.8 million for 136 sitios; and Central Luzon, with P64 million for 117 sitios.

SEP is a 10-year electrification program undertaken by the NEA. It aims to provide power to all un-energized sitios in the country.

The program was initiated in 2010.

Priority areas, according to NEA’s criteria, are those that are situated near tie lines and those with electric cooperatives that may implement projects.

This latest fund release comes in the wake of the P1.62 billion allotted to the National Power Corp. earlier this year, which was meant to prevent power shortages in far-flung areas across the country.

Last week, Abad said his department had asked for Malacañang’s approval for an additional disbursement of P90 billion for other projects like socialized housing, and rural infrastructure, such as bridges and local roads that connect to national roads.

“In choosing projects that this [proposed fund] would cover, we are looking at the breadth of economic multiplier, and the benefits to poor communities,” Abad said. “These [projects] should also be quick-disbursing.”

The budget chief explained that the fund would be drawn from the dividends contributed by government-owned and -controlled corporations.

“We will also utilize continuing appropriations from the 2010 national budget,” Abad said, referring to allocations set in a particular fiscal year.