Beneficiaries of the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) in a hinterland barangay pose during a switched-on ceremony. (Photo courtesy of SOLECO)
SOUTHERYN LEYTE (PIA) — In the heart of Southern Leyte, where verdant hills meet dense forests, a quiet revolution is taking place.
For over a decade, the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) has been illuminating the lives of thousands of residents in remote areas, bringing a much-needed spark of hope to these previously forgotten communities.
Before the SEP, life in these rural corners of Southern Leyte was shrouded in darkness, both literally and figuratively. The lack of electricity meant limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Families struggled to complete their daily tasks after sunset, and the absence of light created a sense of isolation and vulnerability.
The SEP, however, has been a game-changer. By providing access to electricity, it has opened up a world of possibilities for these communities. Children can now study at night, allowing them to pursue their education and break the cycle of poverty. Healthcare facilities can operate more effectively, providing essential services to those in need. And small businesses can thrive, boosting the local economy and creating new employment opportunities.
A vision realized
Launched in 2011, the SEP’s mission is straightforward yet monumental: to extend electricity to the most isolated barangays and sitios throughout the country.
Its name alone—Sitio Electrification Program—encapsulates its core purpose: bringing power to the underserved. With a focus on service over profit, SEP prioritizes inclusivity and development, aiming to ensure that no community is left behind.
In a move to underscore this commitment, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced in his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) a bold target: by 2028, all people in all nooks and corners of the archipelago must enjoy electricity, and houses—without qualification what constitutes a house—are 100 percent lighted by evening, at night, so that literal darkness shall be gone for good.
A daunting task
From a purely commercial viewpoint, providing power lines to mountainous areas where houses are few and far between is a losing proposition, a risky investment without assurance of gainful return.
However, SEP’s goal transcends financial profit. It is driven by a mission to improve lives and foster development in the most underserved areas.
Despite setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), SEP has maintained its momentum.
In the latter part of 2022 up to April 2023, with a NEA-generated budget of approximately P9 million sourced from the General Appropriations Act of 2021, some 10 additional sitios saw light, with the line extension works completed successively.
By April 2023, a total of 171 households had gained access to electricity, adding to the 5,629 beneficiaries from 289 farthest, off-grid sitios since the program’s inception. The total investment in SEP has reached P97.7 million, covering the cost of wiring materials, distribution lines, and power meters.
Transformative impact
The results of the program are both heartwarming and transformative. For many, the arrival of electricity has meant more than just light—it has opened doors to new opportunities.
Children now study under electric lights, small businesses thrive, and healthcare centers operate more efficiently, saving lives and improving community health.
The presence of electricity has boosted morale and fostered a sense of progress within these remote communities.
Soleco, the sole power distributor in the province, has been instrumental in this transformation.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to electrify even the remotest hamlets, leaving no one in the dark,” Soleco said, a declaration so unequivocal that even skeptics have no room to doubt.
The mood of the commitment was even more apparent with the recognition of support from member-consumer-owners (MCOs) during the Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) for the 46th anniversary celebration in July.
“Our linemen have climbed treacherous hills, crossed rivers, and even threaded through dense forests just to bring electricity to every home,” Soleco said in the opening pages of its souvenir program for this year’s 46th anniversary celebration, which, incidentally, focused on ‘Achieving the Goals of Rural Electrification’ as one of its themes.
A path forward
With Southern Leyte nearing 100 percent electrification—an achievement underscored by NEA data showing Soleco with the highest electrification rate in the Philippines—the focus now shifts to completing the final push.
Rowaldo Del Mundo, associate professor at UP Electrical and Electronic Engineering Institute, the guest speaker, was more specific.
“Ang Southern Leyte po ay malapit na sa 100 percent electrification. Sa katunayan, ang sabi po ng datos ng NEA, ang Soleco ang may pinakamataas na eletripikasyon sa buong Philippines,” Del Mundo pointed out in his inspirational message.
(Southern Leyte is nearing 100 percent electrification. NEA data said Soleco has the highest electrification in the entire Philippines.)
But nearing or almost 100 percent is not 100 percent; “kaya OBLIGADOng gawing 100 percent ang electrification, kailangan i-100 percent ang electrification,” Del Mundo quipped, taking a dig at the surname of the OIC Manager with a quick reference to PBBM’s marching order on the subject during the 2023 SONA.
(Manager Obligado is obligated to make electrification 100 percent; it must be 100 percent.)
Soleco’s Member Development Officer, Allan Ferrer, confirmed that 24 additional sitios, covering 530 households, are slated for electrification in 2024, with a proposed budget of P39.7 million. This progress promises to further enhance the quality of life for rural residents, who eagerly await the day when every home will be connected to the power grid.
“Ma-meet jud (it can be met),” Ferrer told PIA in an interview.
A commitment to community
Mark Obligado, OIC Manager of Soleco, emphasized the importance of involving member-consumer-owners (MCOs) in the process.
“Rural electrification would be incomplete and irrelevant if we fail to engage and empower our MCOs,” Obligado said during the anniversary ceremonies, highlighting that the program is designed to stimulate economic, as well as social activity in the communities and eventually improve their quality of life.
As the program moves forward, the commitment to achieving 100 percent electrification remains unwavering. For the residents of Southern Leyte, this commitment represents more than just a promise of light—it symbolizes a brighter future, filled with new opportunities and hope.
The Sitio Electrification Program stands as a testament to the power of collective effort and unwavering commitment, reminding us that even in the most remote places, a spark of hope can light up the darkest nights. (MMP, Southern Leyte, with reports from Dah Journalist)
