The National Electrification Administration (NEA) is moving again on a plan to study the connection of Palawan to the main grid after the program stalled for a year due to lack of local support, administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said.
NEA can now conduct a feasibility study for the connection of Palawan into the main grid of the National Power Corporation (NPC) from Mindoro following the signing of an agreement with the provincial government of Palawan, Maharlika Investment Corporation (MIC), and Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) on December 2.
Under the agreement, MIC will finance the study, which aims to assess the present situation of Palawan’s electrical infrastructure, to find out the best possible way to improve it, including the implementation of the program.
NEA, on the other hand, will be the main agency that will oversee the implementation of the program, while the provincial government will be responsible for processing documentary requirements, including permits and local legislation, and PALECO will provide technical assistance, operational expertise, and personnel mobilization and carry out programs that will be developed after the study.
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Almeda further explained that the program’s primary objective is to improve the quality of energy supply in the province with better and more reliable distribution services “to support the economic pump-priming that would result in the boost of the tourism industry.”
He said with Palawan’s gridline of a single-line diagram of the 69 kV transmission backbone being old, there is an imperative need to transform the system.
Almeda also stated that the program is already one year delayed considering that they initially rolled it out last 2024 but did not push through.
“The island of Palawan’s aged electric infrastructure has struggled to sustain the province’s growth. That is why, and to recall, the NEA, MIC, and PALECO have agreed to collaborate and share technical expertise to enhance electrical services in the province,” he said.
“Today, we proudly welcome the provincial government of Palawan into this collaboration. Through Governor Amy Alvarez, the provincial government has agreed to collaborate and support the partnership by agreeing to facilitate and handle any and all local concerns in furtherance of improving Palawan’s electric infrastructure,” Almeda said.
He clarified that they needed to postpone the feasibility study initially due to their unsuccessful attempt to secure a partnership with the Palawan provincial government earlier.
“That’s why we have to shelve it first, and that’s why it’s happening only right now,” he added.
Meanwhile, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin has ordered NEA to complete the program before June 2028.
If the deadline is not met, they might have to look for other options.
“Hindi ibig sabihin ng signing or FS or lahat ng mga kailangan pang gawin preliminary to the implementation, but I hope and expect that we finish the implementation and it’s up and running by June 2028. But I think you are up to it,” Garin told NEA.
In response, Almeda said he is optimistic that they can do the task and that he looks forward to the completion of the study within six months, after which the rollout of the program will also commence
Almeda further stated that there is no fixed amount of investment that MIC will put in and that they will find out once the feasibility study is completed.
“Just for benchmarking, Mindoro runs about P2-2.5 billion, which is a much smaller size compared to Palawan. So extrapolated, maybe 4-5 billion for the three loops that we will be doing—one in the north, one for Puerto Princesa, and one for the south,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palawan Governor Amy Alvarez expressed gratitude, promising total cooperation and support to the program.Alvarez said the electricity in Palawan, which has long been a problem, might finally find a long-term solution.
“This collaboration represents not only a technical undertaking but a shared commitment to securing a more stable, modern, and forward-looking energy future for our province,” she said.
“Through this partnership, we look forward to the expertise, resources, and nationwide perspective that MIC, NEA, and Paleco bring in assessing and charting a long-term roadmap for our energy needs,” she added.
