Nearly 300,000 qualified marginalized end-users (QMEs) are now enjoying the benefits of the government’s Lifeline Rate subsidy program following the intensified conduct of information campaigns and caravans, encouraging more Filipinos to enlist for the electricity discount, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said.
It said that, as of July 15, there were 293,259 registered QMEs for the electricity subsidy program, which the ERC facilitates in cooperation with the Department of Energy, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Of the number, 241,094 came from Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households, while the remaining 52,165 were non-4Ps beneficiaries. Majority are consumers of electric cooperatives (ECs), with registrations for ECs reaching 250,566, while registrations for private utilities reached 42,693, the ERC said.
Under Republic Act 11552, which extends and enhances the implementation of the lifeline rate, the ERC sets the approved threshold for the lifeline discounts, depending on the prevailing rates of ECs.
For member-consumers of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, a 50-percent discount will be given to registrants consuming 25 kilowatt-hour of electricity per month, with corresponding markdown for other low power consumers of up to 80kWh/month.
For the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative, its approved lifeline subsidy is 50 percent for consumers with 15kWh and below usage per month, and up to five percent discount for 21-25kWh users.
The subsidized rate is part of the socialized pricing mechanism that provides for a percentage discount, except for those using net-metering services, and those apprehended for electricity pilferage.
The ERC, DOE, and DSWD, in cooperation with local government units and ECs or distribution utilities, continue to aggressively hold nationwide information and education campaigns, along with onsite registration caravans, to encourage more 4Ps beneficiaries to register and avail of the lifeline discounts.
The ERC, with DSWD and the Department of Interior and Local Government, also led the creation of a tripartite agreement to streamline the registration of non-4Ps beneficiaries and ease the process of obtaining the Certification of Family Income within the Poverty Threshold from LGUs.
The ERC said in a recent statement that its enhanced promotion of the Lifeline Rate Program is one of the government’s initiatives to reduce electricity costs, exemplify a concerted effort to empower marginalized consumers, and promote equity in energy access. ||
