UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO ELECTRIC POWER: A CRITICAL GOAL FOR THE PHILIPPINES

UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO ELECTRIC POWER: A CRITICAL GOAL FOR THE PHILIPPINES

A recent fire in Metro Manila gutted 24 homes. Tragically, the blaze started when a resident accidentally knocked over her kerosene lamp. Her explanation was heartbreaking but familiar: "I only use a kerosene lamp because I have no electricity."

This situation is far too common in the Philippines. Many of those who live in homes made of flammable materials also rely on kerosene lamps or candles due to a lack of access to electricity. It’s a dangerous, persistent reality.

With a poverty rate of 15.5%—roughly 17.54 million people—it is estimated that 1.8 million households, or about 9 million Filipinos, still live without electricity. This is not just about lighting up homes. No electricity often means no internet, no modern means of communication, and no access to digital livelihoods. Without universal access to electricity, universal access to the internet is a distant dream.

The Philippine government has set a target to achieve universal electrification by 2028, but what’s the progress so far? The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) are both implementing and monitoring agencies. Isn’t there a conflict of interest in this dual role? Shouldn’t there be an independent third-party monitoring body, such as a task force under the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) or the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)?

Private concessionaires like Meralco and Aboitiz are also key players. How much of the responsibility falls on them, and are they publicly reporting their progress? Programs like Meralco’s Lifeline Rate Program and its Household Electrification Program are promising, but how are these initiatives being monitored?

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the importance of universal access to electricity by 2030. Missing this target would mean more than an international embarrassment—it would perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Families without electricity are unable to connect to the modern economy, often trapping them in financial hardship.

Breaking the Cycle of Energy Poverty

The lack of electricity has a cyclical effect. Poor households cannot afford the cost of connection, and without electricity, their opportunities to earn and improve their lives are severely limited. With the rise of internet-related jobs and online livelihoods, the absence of electricity shuts the door on significant economic opportunities.

Many countries have addressed similar challenges through innovative programs. In South Africa, the Free Basic Electricity Program provides a monthly allowance of free electricity to indigent households. In India, the Saubhagya Scheme delivers free electricity connections to marginalized families, supported by subsidies. Brazil’s Luz para Todos (Light for All) program brings electricity to rural and underserved communities, while also offering subsidized tariffs for low-income families.

What Should the Philippines Do?

To achieve 100% electrification, the Philippines needs a comprehensive and transparent plan that includes:

1.   Free or Subsidized Connections: Providing free or affordable initial connections to low-income households can address the barrier of upfront costs.

2.   Targeted Programs: Identifying areas with the highest number of unelectrified households and prioritizing them for electrification efforts.

3.   Renewable Energy Solutions: Off-grid solutions like solar power systems or microgrids can provide electricity to remote areas where extending the main grid is impractical.

4.   Private Sector Involvement: Strengthening public-private partnerships to accelerate electrification efforts and ensure cost-effective implementation.

5.   Accountability and Monitoring: Creating an independent body to monitor and report on the progress of electrification programs ensures transparency and prevents delays.

The DOE and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) must also work together to provide not just electricity but also internet access to underserved areas. This dual strategy will help unlock economic opportunities and uplift communities.

Achieving universal access to electricity is not just a policy goal—it is a moral imperative. Let us ensure that no Filipino family lives in the dark, cut off from opportunities that could brighten their future. The question is no longer if this can be done, but when and how it will be accomplished. Time is ticking.

Top of Form

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

02-16-2025

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