THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) will be receiving from the national government a budget of P1.163 billion for next year, significantly lower than this year’s funding.
“We need more funds,” said NEA Administrator Edgardo R. Masonsong in a statement.
“Our partnership with the 121 ECs (electric cooperatives) is getting stronger every year, and with them by our side we are making steady progress towards meeting our target of new rural households having access to electricity for 2018,” he added.
He said budget constraints will not deter NEA from its commitment to bring electricity to households even in far-flung areas.
Mr. Masongsong said he will be appealing for more funding in the coming years, citing the 19,740 sitios or 2.4 million households nationwide that are yet to be reached by electricity.
Despite the challenges, the agency has continued to make good progress in meeting its household electrification target, he said.
NEA through its partnership with electric cooperatives has successfully energized 12.447 million consumers nationwide to date.
In the first six months of 2018, new consumer connections reached 260,224, or nearly 56% of NEA’s target for the year, the agency said. — Victor V. Saulon

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