SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of Energy to ensure that every household  has uninterrupted electricity so that students may utilize the alternative learning modalities under the new normal in education.

Gatchalian expressed concern that the government’s learning continuity plan will be useless if many households do not have access to electricity.

2019 DOE data show 1,885,507 households have yet to be connected to the power grid. The number represents 7.71% of households in the country.

Majority of the households are in Mindanao (1,187,769), while Luzon and the Visayas share the remaining half (364,409 and 333,329, respectively).

The DOE has repeatedly vowed 100% electrification in the country by 2020. It has allocated ₱500 million of its 2020 budget of ₱2.3 billion to its Total Electrification Program.

“Many underprivileged students living in remote areas have no electricity and they will be left behind in their studies by more socially advantaged students as well as those from private schools. The DOE should make true on its commitment of 100% electrification,” said Gatchalian.