MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Two flagship programs under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are bringing electricity, infrastructure and social services to remote communities in Northern Mindanao, narrowing development gaps in underserved areas.

In Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, 180 families across seven remote sitios now have free electricity for the first time, while in Mambajao, Camiguin, government-funded projects are improving roads, emergency response, and social services.

Free electricity for remote Bukidnon sitios

For decades, families in the mountain villages of Manolo Fortich relied on candles and kerosene lamps for light. Children studied under dim lighting while residents spent much of their limited income on temporary power sources.

That changed after seven sitios were connected to the main power grid through the national Sitio Electrification Program. The project, implemented by the local government with the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative and the National Electrification Administration, was funded by an P11.1-million allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

The program fully covered the cost of poles, power lines, household connections, internal wiring, and light fixtures, allowing residents to access electricity at no cost.