The government’s lifeline subsidy program provided an average monthly subsidy of P541 million to almost six million marginalized electricity end-users nationwide in the first semester, the Energy Regulatory Commission said Monday.
The actual discounts to end-users will depend on the lifeline program per distribution utility approved by the ERC.
The ERC, Department of Energy and Department of Social Welfare and Development signed the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11552, which amended RA 9136, or the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.”
The IRR will ensure the fair and equitable implementation of the lifeline subsidy among qualified marginalized electricity end-users.
“The lifeline rate program in the Philippines is one of the best-designed lifeline rate programs in the world; ours is better targeted,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
The ERC hosted the ceremonial signing of the IRR in its office.
ERC chairperson and chief executive Monalisa Dimalanta commended the inter-agency team that crafted the rules and regulations.
“The IRR is the product of effective inter-agency collaboration to deliver better public service. We are looking forward for its successful implementation,” she said.
DSWD undersecretary for special concerns Vilma Cabrera delivered the message of Secretary Erwin Tulfo.
“DSWD commits to assist in the implementation of the rules and regulations and identify qualified beneficiaries,” Cabrera said.
The law mandates the ERC, DOE and DSWD, in consultation with the Philippines Statistics Authority and other public and private stakeholders, with the approval of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission, to issue, adopt and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of RA 11552.
Under Section 1 of RA No. 11552, further amending Section 73 of the EPIRA, as amended by RA No. 10150, the 20-year period was extended to 50 years.
This means that the country’s marginalized electricity end-users will continue to benefit from the subsidy provided under the lifeline program.
The DOE is tasked to formulate and promulgate policy guidelines deemed necessary to ensure that the law and its IRR are being lawfully implemented.
The DSWD is tasked to provide a list of qualified household beneficiaries nationwide using a standard targeting system in order to ensure a uniform and objective procedure for identifying potential beneficiaries.
The DSWD is also tasked to submit an annual list of qualified household beneficiaries under the 4Ps Act to the DOE and ERC.
The ERC is entrusted to determine the new lifeline level, provide criteria for qualifications of a marginalized end-user to avail of lifeline discount rates and monitor compliance with the implementation of the program, among others.