DOE to spend P33B on rural electrification

The Department of Energy is prepared to spend a staggering P33 billion over the next five years, to provide electricity to more households in remote areas.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras said on Thursday in a statement that the record figure was arrived at after a consultation with project contractors and manufacturers and suppliers of materials needed for the electrification projects.

During the meeting, the DOE sought the full support of the private sector, as it wanted the companies to do their share by ensuring quality materials and reasonable prices.

“Rural electrification is a program that has the approval of the President and both houses of Congress because it is good for the economy, for the Philippines and for the Filipinos. Let’s work together to sustain this program,” Almendras said.

The energy chief explained that the government’s aggressive and renewed thrust towards achieving at least 90 percent household electrification by 2017 was rooted on the belief that electricity stimulates economic growth in the rural areas where it is needed the most.

Last year, the DOE and the National Electrification Administration were able to provide electricity to 1,520 sitios within a record period of just 90 days.

This P814-million rural electrification project, which was carried out in the last quarter of 2011, is now benefiting over 30,000 households.

This year, the DOE has earmarked as much as P5 billion to fund crucial rural electrification projects.