DOE target: 100% barangay electrification by year 2006

The Department of Energy (DOE) is aiming for a 100 percent barangay electrification coverage by 2006 and 90 percent household connection by 2017, DOE Secretary Vincent Perez said.

He said the creation of an electrification management team as well as the enhanced participation of the independent power producers (IPPs) in the rural electrification program of the government will enable them to meet the target.

He cited 26 barangays in the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan as among the latest beneficiaries of rural electrification.

San Roque Power Corp. (SRPC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the DOE to provide electricity in those 26 barangays under the Adopt-a-Barangay scheme of the DOE’s expanded rural electrification program.

The Adopt-a-Barangay program will provide electricity to these areas without any cost to the government or host barangays as a showcase of the company’s strong commitment to the government’s poverty alleviation efforts.

"We are very grateful to SRPC for extending its arms to help President Arroyo’s fight against poverty by bringing electricity to our countrymen located in very remote areas. SRPC’s contribution to energize these sitios opened windows of opportunities for our people to improve their living conditions," Perez said.

Driven by a strong motivation from the DOE and its attached agencies as well as the partnership with the independent power producers (IPPs), rural electrification level in the country has significantly improved.

Over the last two and a half years, the pace of electrification has hit its highest level in recent years. Compared to previous administrations, the present administration ranks first in terms of number of barangays energized, Perez said.

In 2001, a total of 1, 244 barangyas were energized and another 1,699 barangays in 2002. Between January to June this year, about 656 barangays have already been energized.