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.
