^{Photo credit: PCO}

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday pushed for automatic enrollment of qualified poor households into the government’s Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP) and faster processing of rooftop solar net-metering applications, citing the need to remove barriers that have limited uptake.

Speaking at the “Collective Response to Presidential Commitments in the Energy Sector” at the Meralco Theater, Marcos said the lifeline subsidy has long been underutilized because eligible consumers had to apply manually with their distribution utilities before discounts could be granted.

The LRSP is mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), as amended by Republic Act No. 11552, which extended the program for another 20 years from 2021. It grants discounted electricity rates to marginalized end-users, with the subsidy funded by cross-subsidies from other power consumers. Prior to the latest reform, enrollment was not automatic—even qualified beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) had to register separately with their utilities.

As of November 2025, only around 334,000 consumers were registered under the LRSP, equivalent to roughly 11% of the estimated three million 4Ps beneficiaries, the President said.

“Ngayong buwan, ipatutupad natin, kasama ng distribution utilities o DU, ang automatic registration ng lahat ng benepisyaryo ng 4Ps sa ilalim ng LRSP,” President Marcos said.

“(This month, together with the distribution utilities, we will implement the automatic registration of all 4Ps beneficiaries under the LRSP.”)

“Ito ang uri ng pamahalaang ating itinataguyod. Hindi dapat ang Pilipino ang naghahabol sa tulong. Ang tulong ang dapat ang lumapit sa mga Pilipino,” he added. (“This is the kind of government we uphold. Filipinos should not be the ones chasing assistance. Assistance should come to the Filipino people.”)

Under the updated guidelines, 4Ps households consuming 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less per month will receive a 100% discount on their electricity bills. Low-income families outside the 4Ps list but below the poverty threshold and with minimal electricity consumption may still apply for the subsidy.

“Sa madaling salita: mas malinaw ang patakaran at mas mabilis ang proseso. This Administration will continue to work hard and hand in hand with the private sector in crafting processes, policies that make electricity accessible, affordable, and reliable,” Marcos said. (“In simple terms: the rules are clearer and the process is faster. This Administration will continue to work hard and hand in hand with the private sector in crafting processes and policies that make electricity accessible, affordable, and reliable.”)

Marcos also announced reforms aimed at accelerating participation in the Net-Metering Program, which allows consumers to install renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar and export excess power to the grid.

“Now, after sitting down with the Department of Energy and the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission), we have found a way to make it easier for our people to participate in the Net-Metering program,” the Chief Executive said.

The Department of Energy, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Public Works and Highways signed a joint memorandum circular standardizing application forms and mandating turnaround times for local government units. The Energy Regulatory Commission has also directed distribution utilities to complete the interconnection process within 20 working days from acceptance of a letter of interest.

Marcos cited the role of Manila Electric Company in advancing electrification and renewable capacity, including support for lifeline and net-metering initiatives.

How do you see distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and solar installers responding to these implementation changes? Join the discussion.

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