DOE vows to fast-track rural electrification to complement Balik Probinsiya

Published May 22, 2020 04:13 PM By DONA MAGSINO, GMA News

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday it will be working with the power sector stakeholders to boost rural electrification as the government launches its Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program.

"The DOE fully supports the Balik-Probinsiya program... Of course, we have to assure them that they would have connection of electricity immediately," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during a Joint Congressional Energy Commission hearing.

This was his answer after PHILRECA party-List Representative Presely de Jesus asked if the DOE has plans to accommodate the expected surge in demands for residential and commercial electricity in rural areas once the Balik Probinsiya program starts its full-blown implementation.

Aside from ensuring that rural residents have access to electricity, Cusi said the DOE is also coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry on how to make the Philippines more competitive to catch post-pandemic investments.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 114 creating the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Council which will provide the overall direction on the program's implementation.

Around 10,000 individuals have already applied for the  program, just five days after it opened for applications online, according to an official of the National Housing Authority last week.

Malacañang said more than 100 people have returned to Palo in Leyte following the pilot implementation of the Balik Probinsiya on Wednesday.—AOL, GMA News
 

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