The House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy has approved a bill that would give low-income consumers 10 more years of lifeline electricity rates or subsidized power bills.
The committee approved the substitute bill for the originally consolidated measures that amends the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or Republic Act 9136.
The approval was made late last week by the committee led by Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo.
Low-income consumers were given 10 years to benefit from the lifeline rate mandated by the Epira, which was enacted in 2001.
In 2011 the period was extended until 2021.
The original bills aim to extend the lifeline rate for an additional 20 years or until 2041.
“Twenty years might be too long… and with the market forces, economic forces the value of 10 years might change in 20 years,” Arroyo said.
Power industry stakeholders, including the Department of Energy, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Manila Electric
Co., National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp. and Philippine Independent Power Producers Association are supporting the substitute bill.
Arroyo said the committee report on the measure was approved after no member of the panel raised objections.