Manila, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with the National Power Corporation (NPC) purchased by the government, is set to sell cheap diesel to supply uninterrupted and affordable electricity to missionary areas and remote communities served by the NPC- Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG).
Under the government’s Emergency Energy Security Program, the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) will sell up to 45 million liters of diesel at ₱80 per liter over the next three months to new power providers (NPPs) and microgrid system providers (MGSPs) operating in off-grid areas.
According to the DOE, the program aims to ensure the continuous operation of power plants in areas that still rely on diesel-fired generation, especially in islands and remote provinces that often experience power supply shortages.
The directive is also in line with the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. under the declaration of Executive Order No. 110 or State of National Energy Emergency and the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) framework to maintain reliable and affordable electricity services nationwide.
Among the expected beneficiaries of the program are the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Siquijor, as well as other off-grid communities that still rely heavily on diesel generation for their electricity supply.
The subsidized diesel supply is expected to help mitigate the impact of high oil prices and maintain more stable electricity services in the affected areas.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News