The Department of Energy and five electric cooperatives signed agreements to provide electricity to nearly 1,500 households in Luzon and Visayas, using a mix of on-grid and microgrid solutions.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and five electric cooperatives (ECs) in Luzon and Visayas have signed agreements for the first phase of electrification projects under the 2025 DOE Locally Funded Project - Total Electrification Program (LFP-TEP).

The initial batch of projects with Aklan Electric Cooperative, Aurora Electric Cooperative, La Union Electric Cooperative, Quezon II Electric Cooperative and Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative will focus on providing power to unserved and underserved areas. These include remote, off-grid, and geographically isolated villages, hamlets and homes.

The projects will connect 1,492 households and are backed by a total allocation of P192.8 million. The initiative will use a combination of on-grid connections and microgrid solutions -- or a hybrid system technology with a renewable energy component -- to provide reliable, low-cost electricity. The recipients of the project funds were identified in consultation with the National Electrification Administration.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who oversaw the signing ceremony, said the government is committed to achieving 100-percent household electrification, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure reliable, accessible and sustainable power for all Filipinos.

"This signing ceremony not only reflects the government's resolve to close the electricity access gap but also the vital role of our partners in the distribution sector who are at the frontlines of serving our communities," Garin said.

"By bringing electricity to our last-mile communities, we are not merely powering homes; we are also empowering dreams, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening the foundations of inclusive growth," she said.

The LFP-TEP 2025 is the DOE's key program to speed up electrification through government funding and aligning strategies with distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, local government units, and other stakeholders.

Garin said the initiative advances the broader energy security agenda. "Total electrification is not just a number to be achieved; it is a social contract that ensures every Filipino, regardless of geography or circumstance, can benefit from the progress our nation is making," she said.

The DOE and its partners will roll out subsequent batches of LFP-TEP projects throughout 2025.