To bridge the educational divide and promote equal opportunities for all learners across the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Thursday, Feb. 6, its partnership with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to bring electricity to remote and last-mile schools.

In a statement, DepEd emphasized that this initiative, guided by the priority policies of the Marcos administration, aims to improve access to quality education for students in underserved areas.

“In the past, power has given us access, power has provided us with entertainment, and power has facilitated commerce and e-commerce,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“Kaya itong binibigay natin ngayon, hindi lang kuryente, hindi lang ilaw ’yan, pag-asa ang binibigay natin sa ating mga kababayan (So what we are providing now is not just electricity, not just light, but hope that we are giving to our fellow countrymen),” he added.

DepEd said that this collaboration will focus on providing reliable power to schools in geographically isolated regions, ensuring these institutions have the necessary infrastructure to support digital learning, improve educational facilities, and enhance the overall student experience.

The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on Feb. 5. Both agencies agreed that the initiative is a significant step toward providing reliable and sufficient electricity to Last Mile Schools (LMS) across the country.

DepEd noted that this partnership aims to ensure Last-Mile Schools in off-grid and underserved areas gain access to reliable electricity, enabling learners to build a strong educational foundation and seize more opportunities.

The initiative, DepEd explained, may be funded through government allocations, grants, or other financial mechanisms. Additional support may come from electric cooperatives, local government units, and private-sector partnerships.

For NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, the partnership “reflects a shared vision and a unified effort to address one of the most vital aspects of development—ensuring that every child, no matter how remote their location, has access to the transformative power of modern education.”

Moreover, Angara emphasized the significance of leadership in driving progress, expressing enthusiasm for the presence of key energy sector leaders.

“Bringing all of you together—our lawmakers and leaders in the energy sector—in the same room, working toward a common goal of helping our schools, is a tremendous step forward,” Angara said.

Established in 1969, NEA has spearheaded projects supporting the Rural Electrification Program.

With a steadfast commitment to achieving total electrification, NEA collaborates with electric cooperatives to improve the lives of Filipinos by ensuring access to electricity.

Aside from Angara and Almeda, other officials present at the event included DOE Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, UP President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, and other officials from DepEd and electric cooperatives.