DOE pushing to expand power discount program for poor households

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday announced it is now working on expanding and simplifying the government's discount initiative for the electricity consumption of low-income consumers under the Lifeline Rate Program.

The move was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos "Bongbong" Jr.'s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address to expand and simplify the Lifeline Rate Program, covering the current beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The Lifeline Rate is a discounted rate given to qualified low-income electricity customers who are unable to pay their electricity bills at full cost, reducing their monthly bills by 20% to 100% depending on the amount of their consumption set at a limit of 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Those who can avail of the Lifeline Rate are the beneficiaries of 4Ps or customers considered to be living below the poverty threshold set by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

To allow more households to qualify, the DOE said the current minimum electricity consumption threshold of 100 kWh under the Lifeline Rate is under review, in close coordination with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). 

The Energy Department said the review aims to adjust eligibility criteria so that more marginalized households consuming slightly above current limits may still qualify, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program.

Moreover, the enrollment process for 4Ps beneficiaries and other eligible marginalized consumers is being streamlined through automated data validation using the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) beneficiary lists. 

Under the new process, 4Ps households will no longer be required to personally submit documentary requirements, while social workers will conduct field validation for non-4Ps households to confirm their eligibility.

The DOE said the Energy Regulatory Commission is set to conduct public consultations on the draft Lifeline Rate rules, "which seek to apply a uniform lifeline subsidy for all marginalized end-users and a uniform lifeline charge for subsidizing end-users."

"Our priority is to ensure that those who need the subsidy most can access it easily, without lengthy procedures or excessive documentary requirements. The DOE is fully aligned with the President's directive, and we are working closely with our partners so that no qualified household is left out," said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.

The DOE said it will release updates on new guidelines and implementation mechanisms once consultations and systems alignment are completed. — VDV, GMA Integrated News