Marcos: 2.5M households get electricity since 2022, target 4M more by 2028

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated during his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday that 2.5 million households have gained access to electricity since 2022, and vowed to accelerate rural electrification.

Marcos highlighted that at the start of his administration, over five million homes lacked power; this number has now been reduced to around two million, with a target to provide electricity to an additional four million homes or about 7,000 factories by completing nearly 200 power plants in the next three years.

Energy Undersecretary Mario Marasigan cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicating that almost 3 million households still lack electricity and said the government is exploring alternative solutions such as microgrid systems to reach isolated communities.

The Department of Energy aims to promote private sector participation in providing reliable and affordable energy through microgrids, particularly in small islands without access to electricity.

The DOE plans to roll out solar power home systems to more than one million households, allowing excess power generated by these homes to be sold back to the grid under a net metering program.

An investigation into Siquijor's power crisis revealed that local officials were slow to act and generators were not well-maintained; however, no updates on accountability measures have been provided.

The government is also working on reducing electricity costs and expanding the lifeline rate subsidy program for poorer consumers.