The National Electrification Administration (NEA) played a pivotal role in strengthening the country's power infrastructure last year by facilitating substantial financial assistance to electric cooperatives across the nation.
Breaking Down the PHP2.8 Billion Financial Boost
According to data released by the NEA's Accounts Management and Guarantee Department, the state-funded loans facilitated in 2025 reached a total of PHP2.8 billion. This significant financial injection benefited 45 electric cooperatives (ECs) operating throughout the Philippine archipelago.
The majority of these funds, precisely PHP1.7 billion, were allocated for the capital expenditure projects of 34 different electric cooperatives. A geographic breakdown shows that most beneficiary ECs were based in Luzon (15), followed by Mindanao (11), and the Visayas (8).
Working Capital and Climate Resilience Funding
Beyond capital expenditures, a portion of the loan portfolio was dedicated to operational stability. Approximately PHP956 million was extended to support the working capital needs of 11 specific electric cooperatives located in:
- Albay
- Cagayan de Sulu
- Camarines Sur
- Cotabato
- Negros Oriental
- Northern Negros
- Pampanga
- Pangasinan
- Sultan Kudarat
- Tarlac
A critical segment of the 2025 lending program addressed climate change impacts. The NEA facilitated PHP142.4 million in climate change-related loans specifically earmarked for rehabilitating energy infrastructure damaged by Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) in December 2021.
This funding is targeted at two key restoration projects: the rehabilitation of the Janopol Mini-Hydro Power Plant in Bohol, which falls under the service area of the Bohol 1 Electric Cooperative (BOHECO 1), and the restoration of the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative (SURNECO) distribution lines in Surigao del Norte.
Strengthening the National Electrification Agenda
This extensive loan facilitation effort is part of the government's broader initiative to bolster power-related programs. The overarching goal is to ensure reliable electricity access for all households, a mission that requires continuous investment in both the expansion and resilience of the country's energy grid.
The allocation of funds for Odette-related repairs, several years after the typhoon's devastation, highlights the long-term nature of infrastructure recovery and the ongoing financial support required to rebuild and fortify systems against future climate-related disasters.
