Senator Win Gatchalian is urging Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients to make use of the set discounts on their electricity bills by registering in the lifeline electricity rate program by the government.
“Pamaskong handog ito para sa mga kababayan nating sadyang hirap sa buhay. Palalawigin pa ng gobyerno ang subsidiya sa kuryente pagdating ng Enero 2024,” said Gatchalian, the principal author of the Republic Act 11552 or Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate.
Gatchalian explained that the program is meant to aid consumers who were affected by the unpredictability of fuel prices as well as the increasing cost of basic commodities.
To utilize the subsidy, the recipients must consume not more than 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. This encompasses households unable to pay their electricity bill or those considered living below the poverty line set by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Additionally, the discounts for those within the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) franchise area could range between 20% to 100%, depending on the amount of electricity they consume and the set rates imposed by the distribution utilities or electric cooperatives.
“We pushed for this measure because we wanted more people to benefit from the subsidy program,” said the senator.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) are the entities responsible for implementing the lifeline rate program, which was delayed from September this year to January 2024.
Gatchalian also called on these agencies to guarantee the speed of the enrollment procedure and ensure it remains convenient for the beneficiaries.
