House bill seeks 50% power discount for minimum wage earners

A bill has been filed in the House of Representatives proposing a 50% discount on electricity charges for qualified households of minimum wage earners.

House Bill No. 8191, or the “Ginhawa sa Kuryente” bill, was jointly filed by lawmakers from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

“This measure extends meaningful monthly relief to all minimum wage earners by granting them a uniform fifty percent (50%) discount on applicable electricity charges for their household’s principal residence,” the bill read.

“Reducing their monthly electricity burden increases take-home resources available for food, transport, education, health, and basic household needs—supporting productivity, improving well-being, and strengthening household spending in the local economy,” it added.

Under the proposal, the 50% discount will apply only to a household’s principal residence and will be subject to verification, anti-leakage safeguards, and periodic revalidation.

The measure also states that the discount may be applied to only one service account.

“Availment shall be limited to residential service accounts and shall not apply to commercial, industrial, or mixed-use accounts, except under strict criteria that may cover essentially residential home-based arrangements, as may be defined in the implementing rules and regulations,” the bill read.

The proposed benefit will also be non-transferable and cannot be traded, assigned, or used to cover an account other than that approved for the household’s principal residence.—MCG, GMA Integrated News