Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced that the newly approved PHP6.352-trillion budget for 2025 will significantly advance the rural electrification program across the Philippines. The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has been allocated a PHP1.87 billion subsidy to extend electricity to around 22,000 households, marking a crucial step towards the government’s goal of full rural electrification by 2028.
Gatchalian expressed optimism that the budget would expedite the completion of the rural electrification project within the next few years. He highlighted that insufficient funding has been a major obstacle in achieving 100 percent electrification in rural areas. As of June 2023, approximately 4.214 million households remained without electricity.
The country’s electrification rate has improved from 89 percent in 2023 to 91 percent in 2024. The government’s five-year plan aims to increase this to 94 percent by 2025, 97 percent by 2026, and achieve full coverage by 2027. By August 2024, NEA had already energized 1,153 sitios with the previous year’s subsidy.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of sustained budgetary support to meet the 2028 target. He stressed that electricity is essential for economic development, particularly in rural areas, as it attracts investments and supports the operations of small businesses. ‘Electricity is a fundamental requirement for various businesses to thrive in remote areas, providing jobs and fostering continuous economic growth,’ he stated.