While the Department of Education (DepEd) is eyeing solar power for public schools by 2027, Senator Win Gatchalian emphasized that the 2026 national budget allocates P1.295 billion for the electrification of DepEd schools.
The budget for the electrification of public schools is provided for under the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) National Rural Electrification Program, which has a total budget of P9.1 billion.
A special provision under the NEA budget provides that the allocation for the electrification of schools shall be used exclusively for unenergized or off-grid schools, while also funding the modernization and upgrading of electrical systems of on-grid schools, including the upgrading of electrical power systems of existing school buildings, purchase and installation of transformers, and installation of solar power systems.
The NEA is further mandated to prioritize the use of solar energy sources in providing electricity to both off-grid and on-grid public schools.
“Titiyakin din nating gagamit tayo ng epektibong teknolohiya hanggang magkaroon ng ilaw ang bawat paaralan sa bansa,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
The National Education Plan submitted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) targets the electrification of 3,358 un-energized schools by 2028.
Gatchalian: P1.3 Bilyon Nakalaan Para Makabitan ng Kuryente ang mga Pampublikong Paaralan
Habang binabalak ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang paggamit ng solar power sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa 2027, binigyang diin naman ni Senator Win Gatchalian na may P1.295 bilyon na nakalaan sa ilalim ng 2026 national budget para sa electrification o pagpapakabit ng kuryente sa mga DepEd schools.
Ang naturang pondo ay bahagi ng pondo ng National Rural Electrification Program ng National Electrification Administration (NEA). Nakatanggap ng kabuuang P9.1 bilyon ngayong taon ang naturang programa.
Nakasaad sa isang special provision ng NEA budget na ang pondo para sa electrification ng mga paaralan ay ekslusibong gagamitin sa mga paaralang wala pang kuryente o off-grid schools. Saklaw din ng naturang pondo ang modernisasyon at upgrading ng mga electrical systems ng mga on-grid schools, kabilang ang pag-upgrade sa mga electrical power systems ng mga kasalukuyang school buildings, pagbili at installation ng mga transformers, at pag-install ng solar power systems.
Mandato rin sa NEA na bigyang prayoridad ang paggamit ng solar energy sources sa pagkabit ng kuryente sa mga off-grid at on-grid public schools.
“Titiyakin din nating gagamit tayo ng epektibong teknolohiya hanggang magkaroon ng ilaw ang bawat paaralan sa bansa,” ani Gatchalian, Chairman ng Senate Committee on Finance.
Sa ilalim ng National Education Plan na isinumite ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), target na malagyan ng kuryente ang 3,358 na mga un-energized schools sa 2028.
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Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS WIN GATCHALIAN
