In a significant move to enhance educational facilities across the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) have formalized a partnership aimed at bringing electricity to remote schools. The agreement was signed on February 5, 2025, by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, marking a pivotal step in the Marcos administration’s efforts to electrify off-grid educational institutions.
Secretary Angara emphasized the critical nature of this initiative, stating that electricity is not just a utility but a beacon of hope for students in underserved areas. He highlighted that without power, educational progress is severely hampered, and this project aims to change that reality for approximately 1,500 public schools still without electricity. These schools are primarily located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and several other provinces including North Cotabato, Palawan, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, and Negros Oriental.
Under the terms of the memorandum of agreement, DepEd will allocate funds from its off-grid schools electrification project, while NEA will be responsible for designing and procuring solar power systems tailored to the needs of these last-mile schools. DepEd has earmarked around PHP1.295 billion for this initiative, focusing on the acquisition and installation of solar power systems.
NEA Administrator Almeda stressed that electrifying these schools is essential for providing modern, quality education. He pointed out that in today’s digital age, access to electricity is crucial for utilizing modern teaching tools and the internet, which are integral to contemporary education. He lamented the current disparity in electricity access among public schools, particularly those in remote areas, calling it a disservice to both students and teachers.
Energy Secretary Rafael Popo Lotilla, who attended the signing, voiced strong support for this interagency collaboration, seeing it as a testament to the government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure. However, he also noted the significant financial challenge ahead, estimating that PHP85 billion to PHP100 billion is needed to meet the administration’s electrification goals by 2028. With current annual budgets ranging from PHP2 billion to PHP3 billion, Lotilla acknowledged that achieving total electrification remains a distant goal, but one that the government is determined to pursue.