Marcos says gov't expanding Lifeline Rate scope

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday announced the expansion of lifeline rates for more small-income families. 

''Habang inaayos natin ang kumplikado nating sistema ng enerhiya sa bansa upang mai-pababa ang presyo, pinapalawig pa natin ang Lifeline Rate,'' Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address. 

''Bukod sa mga miyembro ng 4Ps, kasama na rin ngayon ang mga pamilyang nasa listahanan na maliit lamang ang kinikita at ang konsumo naman ay hindi lumalagpas sa 'lifeline rate,''' he added.

Marcos also said the Department of Energy is also pushing for the Net Metering Program, which allows customers of distribution utilities to install an on-site renewable energy facility (such as solar panels) not exceeding 100 kilowatts (kW) in capacity so they can generate electricity for their own use.

The Lifeline Rate is a subsidized rate given to qualified low-income electricity customers who are unable to pay their electricity bills at full cost.

Among the households who can apply for the Lifeline Rate program are the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or customers considered to be living below the poverty threshold set by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Only one Distribution Utility (DU)/Electric Cooperative (EC) service per qualified household can be granted a lifeline rate.

In cases more than one beneficiary from the same household applies for the lifeline rate using the same service account, only one application would be granted the lifeline rate, with the other applications disapproved. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News