File photo
MANILA – A lawmaker on Thursday proposed an additional PHP10 billion to be allocated for the National Electrification Administration's (NEA) rural electrification program in 2025.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez said NEA is currently set to receive only PHP2.6 billion in the proposed national budget for next year, just 11 percent of the PHP23.7 billion the agency had requested.
“Let us give this program more funds so that the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of 100-percent electrification by the end of his six-year term in 2028 could be realized. Congress should help him attain that target,” Rodriguez said. "Let us give it even just half of what it is seeking."
Rodriguez warned that without additional funding, many rural communities will continue to live without electricity and not be able to realize economic progress.
He particularly cited Mindanao as having the highest rate of non-electrified areas in the country.
“Like roads, electricity is an important factor in developing the countrywide, especially remote barangays,” he said.
The lawmaker also cited concerns raised by NEA officials during congressional budget hearings that the agency would not be able to meet the President's 2028 target for total electrification, as the timeline has been delayed by up to three years due to inadequate funding.
Rodriguez urged the Senate and House to work together to increase the NEA's budget, especially during bicameral discussions.
“I am urging the Senate to augment the NEA budget for next year. In case it fails to do so, the House of Representatives could play catch-up by proposing the adjustment during the bicameral conference committee deliberations,” he said.
He said by providing electricity to remote communities, “we will be helping our rural people improve their lives.” (PNA)
