Electrification Budget Doubled To P5B

Manila Bulletin
January 23, 2012, 12:04am


MANILA, Philippines — From the initial allocation of P2.5 billion previously unveiled by the Department of Energy, the State budget for electricity household connections will be doubled to P5.0 billion this year.


This was indicated by Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras believing that by widening the base of electrified communities and households, the multiplier effect will be faster economic development in the countryside.


"We have allotted P2.5 billion this year and if needed, we will be providing an additional P2.5 billion for a total of P5.0 billion to be poured in to rural electrification," the energy chief has noted.


Of the P2.5-billion allotment for 2012, it must be culled that Malacañang already announced the release of P1.8 billion early this month, in time for the anniversary celebration of the National Electrification Administration.


Almendras stressed that "the move of the government to invest in the rural areas will be for the government’s 'inclusive' growth."


The energy secretary defined 'inclusive growth' as a form of "economic development that will start from the bottom going up."


He further explained that if investments will flow into the rural areas because of the presence of infrastructure, such as electricity, the eventual impact will be for economic growth going back to main population centers.


The previous administration concentrated on laying the groundwork for barangay electrification. That is now being augmented by the Aquino administration by ensuring that electricity will tangibly flow into the households.


Almendras acknowledged though that the vision of economic growth being cast in his reign will definitely entail a "very long journey"; yet he realizes that the important thing is to set the starting points.


"It will probably take 10 to 15 years before we finally achieve it, but with your help and your commitment to this initiative we will be able to ensure the economic liability of the Philippines and the quality of life of future Filipinos," he told energy stakeholders during a recent forum in Clark, Pampanga.


There have been questions raised on the government's claim of more than 90-percent barangay electrification level when many consumers do not actually feel yet the presence of such commodity in their homes.


That is now the challenge being responded to by the next phase of the energy department's electrification program -- to plug that service gap from the topping pole to the wires that will directly connect a household to a distribution utility's network. (MMV)