THE 2026 national budget allocates P1.295 billion for the electrification of public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian issued the statement as DepEd moves to adopt solar power solutions for public schools by 2027.

The funding for school electrification is included in the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) National Rural Electrification Program, which carries a total budget of P9.1 billion.

A special provision under the NEA budget ensures that funds for school electrification will be used exclusively for unenergized or off-grid schools. It also covers the modernization and upgrading of electrical systems in on-grid schools, including improvements to existing power systems, the purchase and installation of transformers, and the rollout of solar power systems.

The NEA is likewise mandated to prioritize renewable energy, particularly solar power, in supplying 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, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

The National Education Plan submitted by the Second Congressional Commission on Education targets the electrification of 3,358 currently unenergized schools by 2028.