Public schools often double as polling centers during elections, but those in remote areas frequently struggle with unreliable power supply. In response, energy officials in Negros Oriental have committed to providing stable, solar-powered electricity to ensure that voting centers in far-flung communities are ready and fully operational for the May 12 elections.
Fe Marie Tagle, general manager of the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (Noreco II), said a backup system is ready, with solar energy set to power unenergized schools during the polls.
She explained, “There is a Department of Education and National Electrification Administration partnership to energize the last-mile schools using photovoltaic modules (solar power).”
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Areas covered by the energization
Solar energy will be supplied to eight schools under Noreco II’s coverage to guarantee smooth election proceedings without disruption.
The schools set to benefit from the project include Apo Island Elementary School and Apo Island High School in Dauin; Danao, Kanggabok, and Tubod Elementary Schools, all located in the remote mountain barangay of Nagbinlod in Sta. Catalina; Calañan Elementary School in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton; Bokaw Elementary School in Barangay Manduaw, Bayawan City; and Pilipigan Indigenous People Elementary School in Barangay Pal-ew, Tanjay City.
The meeting of the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) marked the final round of discussions on contingency measures for the midterm elections. During the briefing, Tagle and Noreco I General Manager Elvin Denoyo updated the group on power preparations. Denoyo assured that all areas covered by Noreco I would have stable electricity starting May 6, when automated counting machines will undergo final testing and sealing.
Noreco II provides service to a broad range of areas, including Dumaguete City, Tanjay City, Bayawan City, and several municipalities such as Pamplona, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, and Basay.
Meanwhile, Noreco I covers the northern regions of Negros Oriental, extending to Bais City, Mabinay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, and Guihulngan City, as well as the towns of Vallehermoso and Canlaon City.
“If we were able to do it in the previous elections, then we can also do it this time,” stated Lionel Marco Castillano, the director of the Commission on Elections for Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR), during the PJSCC meeting. Castillano assured that the elections in these schools would proceed without significant issues, building on the success of previous elections in the region.
With temperatures rising, electricity demand is at its peak. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), responsible for transmitting power to local cooperatives, has guaranteed there will be no power outages in the lead-up to the May 12 elections. This assurance stands unless extreme emergencies or unexpected incidents, such as severe weather conditions or other critical situations, occur. Power stability will be maintained for at least a week following the elections.
(Also read: Power Shortages in Visayas Tied to Transmission Issues)
Powering Off-Grid Schools with Solar Energy
Last February, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) formalized their collaboration to bring solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to remote schools still lacking reliable electricity access.
NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano stated, “This moment reflects a shared vision and a unified effort to address one of the most vital aspects of development—ensuring that every child, regardless of how remote their location may be, has access to the transformative power of education and electricity.”
As part of the agreement, DepEd would take the lead in identifying and ranking schools that require power supply, securing permits from relevant local authorities, and offering the logistical and financial support necessary to implement the project.
At the same time, NEA, in collaboration with its partner electric cooperatives, is in charge of offering technical support for the installation of the solar PV systems, overseeing their operation, and carrying out ongoing assessments to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
In addition, the Agency required electric cooperatives to forgo any payments, expenses, or financial obligations related to the upkeep and long-term viability of the project.
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