DBM releases P2.5B to light up 3,408 sitios, enhance electricity lines in 189 brgys

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The government has released P2.5 billion for the electrification of 3,408 off-grid sitios and enhancement of electricity lines in 189 barangays nationwide. 

Of the amount released to the National Electrification Administration (NEA), P2 billion will go to the Sitio Electrification Project and P568.5 million will be used for the Barangay Line Enhancement Project.

 “Too many Filipino families live without the benefit of electricity, and this alone seriously impairs their ability to jumpstart local economic growth. Without electricity, off-grid families are unable to take control of their livelihoods because all economic activity halts the moment the sun sets," Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad said on Sunday.

 "This forces residents to resort to expensive or inefficient solutions to meet their basic power requirements. Electrification will certainly change all that,” Abad added.

The latest release augments the P1.1 billion-fund that was given to NEA in January for the line enhancement of 202 barangays and electrification of 833 sitios, charged against the government’s Malampaya Funds.
 
“The P1.1 billion was intended to enhance the power lines of 202 barangays and electrify 833 sitios across the country. We’re pleased to announce that the government exceeded that target, successfully enhancing the lines in 207 barangays and connecting 885 sitios to the power grid," the DBM chief said.

"Moreover, the project was completed in just four months, starting from the fund release and culminating in its documentation,” Abad said.
 
NEA has set a five-year target beginning last year for the implementation of the SEP and BLEP to improve electricity in 2,341 barangays and to light up 32,441 sitios nationwide.

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