Due to low registration turnout, the Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have signed a tripartite advisory to move the full implementation of the Lifeline Rate Program next year despite its supposed rollout this month.
In a report by the Philippine Star, the said agencies noticed that despite the significant increase in the number of qualified and registered marginalized end-users (QMEs) reaching 47,171 registrants for the lifeline program as of end-August, a great number of QMEs who have yet to avail the benefits under the program remain.
In the Lifeline Rate Program’s full implementation rollout by January 2024, only those who have approved applications are entitled to avail of the benefits.
The agencies continue to call for distribution facilities to exert more efforts to boost public awareness of the program, and continue the processing and acceptance of qualified applicants to ensure that more consumers will benefit from it, the ERC said.
The Lifeline Rate Program provides subsidized rates for low-income customers who cannot afford the fully pay their electricity bills fully.
Under the program, customers who have a monthly consumption of 100 kWh or below can avail of a 20% to 100% discount on their MERALCO bills depending on their actual consumption.