P969M released to boost power plants in the country

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P969.3 million to the National Power Corp. (NPC) for the operational maintenance of Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) which conducts electrification projects in remote areas of the country.

The amount will cover the procurement of spare parts to ensure the efficient operation of power plants nationwide.

“This latest release supports the Administration's ongoing efforts to bring electricity to remote communities, areas, and islands covered by the NPC nationwide. By putting far-flung areas without electricity on the power grid, we can ensure the gradual economic empowerment and much-needed commercial expansion in these remote communities,” DBM Secretary Florencio Abad said.

SPUG is mandated to connect remote 'missionary areas' to the main transmission grid. As of September this year, it has been operating 312 power plants in 236 service areas with a total capacity of 327,523 kilowatts covering 36 provinces and 670,000 households.

“For too long, several remote communities have had their socio-economic progress severely limited by the simple absence of electricity in their towns. The Administration's electrification program is only one of several ways that we're bringing the benefits of good governance to the Filipino people,” Abad said.