Visayan Electric and Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) Philippines installed free electricity in 26 homes in Barangay Lanas, Naga City, on March 6, 2025. The project was carried out in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE).
This project marks the first implementation of the Energy Regulations 1-94 initiative in the Visayas. Established under the DOE Act of 1992, the program directs funds from power sales to communities hosting power plants.
Through this, the House Wiring Project provides free electricity installation for low-income households in the Visayan Electric franchise area.
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Powering more households soon
Emily Baricuatro, barangay captain of Lanas, shared that residents were initially doubtful about the program. Only 26 households initially signed up, but the number grew to 184 once the project was confirmed.
Visayan Electric has over P28 million in ER 1-94 electrification funds, with Kepco as one of the key contributors. According to Visayan Electric Chief Operating Officer Engr. Raul Lucero, the utility received the funds from the DOE to pay for house wiring projects, covering labor and materials for low-income households in its franchise area.
Visayan Electric also deployed certified electricians to carry out the project.
Angel Mae Alfante, a beneficiary from Lanas, shared that having their electricity has been a long-awaited dream. Before the project, she would “just connect to our neighbors so we can have electricity at night,” she said.
House wiring typically costs between P12,000 and P13,000 per home. According to Lucero, the process requires an electrical plan, which costs P1,000 per page. “It contains several pages because you still have the structural plan,” he explained. “But with this project, house wiring will be offered for free.”
Through the program, eligible households will receive one outlet and two light sockets. While residents must cover their electricity bills, those using less than 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month may qualify for additional support under the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program.
ER 1-94 funds, collected at P0.01 per kWh, are allocated for electrification projects benefiting underserved families, including line extensions and house wiring. These funds are distributed across electrification, community development and livelihood, and environmental initiatives such as reforestation, watershed management, and health programs.
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Lighting up more households
Visayan Electric’s surveys identified 3,933 potential beneficiary households across Cebu Province. In the current phase, 2,013 homes are prioritized, including 1,295 in Naga City and 718 in San Fernando. The remaining 1,920 households will be covered in future phases.
Beneficiary Jera Mae Librea expressed gratitude, saying that having electricity is a significant improvement for their household. “It will allow our students to study better at night and make cooking more convenient for their family,” she said in Cebuano.
Celebrating 120 years of service, Visayan Electric, the Philippines’ second-largest power distributor, continues to support communities across Metro Cebu. Its franchise covers Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Naga cities, as well as the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla, and San Fernando.
Sources:
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/visayan-electric-lights-up-26-homes
https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/8/visayan-electric-powers-mountain-village-in-cebu
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/626870/house-wiring-project-benefits-26-houses-in-naga-cebu