The Duterte administration is accelerating the electrification of the provinces comprising the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as part of its peace and development efforts in Southern Philippines.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Saturday (October 29) led the ceremonial switch-on of electrification projects of the DOE and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) held at the ARMM Regional Government Compound in Cotabato City.

On-grid electrification projects include the DOE's Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification (NIHE) and ER 1-94 Electrification Funded Projects and NEA's Sitio Electrification Program and Barangay Line Enhancement Program.

For Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, a total of P371.71 million worth of electrification projects from 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 34,238 households in the two provinces. Next year, a P4.84 million electrification projects will benefit 166 households.

For Tawi-Tawi, a total of P91.62 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit some 1,620 households. For 2017, a P18.31 million electrification project will benefit 2,263 households.

For Basilan, a total of P60.6 million worth of electrification projects in 2015 to 2016 will benefit 889 households in the province. For 2017, a P2.81 million electrification project will benefit 270 households.

And for Sulu, a total of P50.3 million worth electrification projects will benefit 2,628 households. In 2017, a P10.88 million electrification project will benefit 1,345 households.

For off-grid electrification, the DOE has initiated the Household Electrification Program (HEP) where electrification projects worth P610 million will be implemented by electric cooperatives in ARMM until 2017.

Duterte and Cusi also graced the ceremonial turn-over of 30 units of photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems to ARMM.

The DOE completed a total of 3,868 PV solar home system units in the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu under its HEP. Next year, the DOE will deliver a total of 3,878 units of the PV solar home system in Tawi-Tawi (2,263 units), Basilan (270 units) and Sulu (1,345 units).

The DOE also donated a total of 30 units of 30Wp PV solar home system to ARMM. This was received by ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman on behalf of household beneficiaries in the three provinces.

The President's last stop was the ceremonial awarding of a cheque worth P13.833 million to Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MAGELCO) for the implementation of the NIHE program that will benefit 3689 households within its franchise area.

Under the NIHE program, the DOE provides assistance amounting to at least P3,750 as grant subsidy to each eligible household for the cost of house-wiring and additional service drops per housing unit.

The NIHE program will be implemented by MAGELCO in the municipalities of Ampatuan, Buldon, Matanog, Barira, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, North Upi, Parang, South Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Sultan Sa Barongis, Rajah Buayan, Talayan, Guindulungan and Talitay.

The cheque was received by MAGELCO General Manager, Sultan Ashary P. Maongco.

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