Headline: PBBM vows to energize more homes as Bicol battles nearly decade-long problem

In his 2025 State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. vowed to energize over one million more homes, but even as the country moves forward, regions like Bicol continue to suffer from frequent brownouts, and quietly endures the poorest-performing electric cooperatives in the country since the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) online public records began in 2016.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said his administration is accelerating efforts to boost the country’s power supply, with a target of completing nearly 200 power plants by 2028. These are expected to serve over four million households, more than 12,000 factories, and nearly 7,000 offices and businesses.

"Hahabulin at tutuparin ng DOE (Department of Energy) at NEA ang natatakdang dami ng mga kabayahang makakabitan ng kuryente ngayong taon hanggang 2028, lalung-lalo na sa Quezon, sa Camarines Norte, sa Palawan, sa Masbate, sa Samar, sa Negros Occidental, sa Zamboanga Del Sur," the president said.

He also acknowledged the lingering energy challenges felt by many Filipinos, such as the lack of electricity in three million households, recurring brownouts, and high electricity costs.

Marcos said when he took office, more than five million homes had no electricity. Since then, about 2.5 million homes have been connected to the grid, with an additional one million expected to be reached through solar power systems before the end of his term.

To make energy more affordable, the president announced the expansion of the Lifeline Rate subsidy to include more low-income families, not just 4Ps beneficiaries.

He also highlighted DOE’s Net Metering Program, which allows consumers to sell excess solar power back to the grid.

PUBLICIZED POWER CRISIS IN VISAYAS

One of the most publicized energy disruptions this 2025 occurred in Siquijor, Central Visayas, where prolonged brownouts prompted the provincial government to declare a state of calamity.