Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to electrify the country’s last-mile schools. In a recent announcement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of this collaboration to enhance the welfare of learners, aligning with the Marcos administration’s efforts to bring electricity to off-grid schools.
According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Angara highlighted the necessity of power in schools, stating that without it, students and educators face significant challenges. He remarked that the initiative is not just about providing electricity but also offering hope to communities. This was articulated during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with NEA.
Secretary Angara noted that approximately 1,500 public schools still lack electricity access. Many of these schools are located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the provinces of North Cotabato, Palawan, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, and Negros Oriental. Under the new agreement, DepEd will allocate funds from its project dedicated to electrifying off-grid schools, while NEA will be responsible for designing solar power systems suitable for these institutions.
The DepEd has earmarked around PHP1.295 billion for the electrification project, focusing on the procurement and installation of solar power systems. NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda expressed that providing electricity to off-grid public schools is essential for ensuring modernized education. He stated that the digital age necessitates access to electricity for modern teaching methods, including internet access, which is currently a challenge for last-mile schools.
Energy Secretary Rafael Popo Lotilla, who was present at the MOA signing, reiterated his support for such interagency collaborations. He emphasized that the agreement demonstrates a collective commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure. However, he also pointed out that the country requires PHP85 billion to PHP100 billion to meet its electrification targets by 2028, which includes schools and households. Lotilla noted that the current annual budget allocation is only PHP2 to PHP3 billion, indicating a need for additional strategies to reach the total electrification goal.
