Low-income electricity consumers are set to get bigger relief on their power bills after regulators approved a new, uniform national lifeline subsidy.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has mandated a single nationwide lifeline consumption threshold for marginalized and low-income households, including beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Under the new rule, qualified customers consuming 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less per month will receive a 100 percent discount on their electricity rates.
Meralco said it will continue to offer additional lifeline discounts beyond the national threshold. Qualified customers using 51 to 70 kWh will still enjoy a 35 percent discount, while those consuming 71 to 100 kWh will receive a 20 percent discount.
To fund the program, the ERC also set a uniform national lifeline subsidy rate of P0.01 per kWh, which will be collected from electricity consumers nationwide. The new subsidy rate takes effect in the March billing cycle, while the revised discount structure will be implemented starting April billing.
”We welcome this directive from the ERC, which we hope will provide additional relief to our qualified customers,” said Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga.
As electricity demand typically surges during the dry season, Meralco also urged consumers to keep power use in check. The utility reminded households to practice energy efficiency to avoid bill shocks in the coming months.
“We reiterate our call for customers to practice energy efficiency as we approach the dry season,” Zaldarriaga said.
