DoE taps DSWD, PSA on power subsidies

The Department of Energy said it will “leverage on the best available information” from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries will receive the extended electricity lifeline rate subsidy under a fair distribution program.

“(A) more accurate targeting of lifeline beneficiaries and determination of threshold (is needed to) concentrate the subsidies to consumers in our poorest areas,” Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said over the weekend.

The country’s marginalized sector consuming electricity will continue to receive government subsidies for their electricity bills for another 30 years.

It follows the recently signed implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 11552 or “An Act Extending and Enhancing the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act. No. 9136 (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2021).”

“The approved extension of implementation until the next 30 years will aid the marginalized sector in their economic sustenance and hopefully, recovery in the hope that by the end of the 30-year extension there will be less marginalized consumers and very minimal need for subsidy,” Marasigan said.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla recently pointed out that the lifeline rate program in the Philippines is one of the best-designed lifeline rate programs in the world since ours is better targeted. Lotilla added that the IRR will ensure the proper implementation of the law.

As mandated by the law, 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, should issue, adopt and promulgate the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of RA 11552.