Low-income families across the country will receive wider electricity bill discounts after the government expanded its Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program, a move aimed at easing household expenses as power costs continue to strain family budgets.

The Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently issued a joint resolution to broaden the coverage of the subsidy under Republic Act No. 11552, which extends and enhances the Lifeline Rate program. The measure allows more poor households to automatically receive discounts on their electricity bills.

For families like Marialou Lambino’s in Dagupan City, the subsidy offers relief. Lambino said her family survives on a combined monthly income of about 8,000 pesos from street sweeping and construction work to support four school-age children.

“Isa na rin po itong magandang ideya ng ating pangulo para sa 4Ps. Nakabawas po siya sa bayarin po,” Lambino, a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), said.

Under the expanded program, households consuming up to 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month will receive a 100 percent discount on their power bills, according to the DSWD. Discounts will also apply to those consuming more than 50 kWh, depending on usage.

“Ibig sabihin, ’yung nakakakonsumo ng electricity na hindi hihigit sa 50 kWh per month, automatic ay hindi na sila magbabayad ng kanilang bayarin sa kuryente. Automatic, 100 percent discount na sila,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

Dumlao said data sharing among government agencies has sped up automatic enrollment of qualified beneficiaries.

“Nagkaroon ng data sharing kung saan ’yung list ng mga active pa ay ibinahagi ng DSWD sa DOE at ERC para ’yun ang reference nila sa automatic enrolment,” she said.

Non-4Ps households may also qualify for discounts if they fall below the poverty threshold and consume no more than 100 kWh per month, provided they register with their local distribution utility or electric cooperative, the DSWD said.

Some low-income residents who are not covered by 4Ps appealed for broader inclusion.

“Dapat po pantay-pantay kasi para matulungan din ’yung ibang mahirap na hindi kasama sa 4Ps,” Marlyn Daliwan, a non-4Ps resident, said.

The DSWD said more than three million families are currently enrolled in 4Ps and that the government continues to study ways to expand assistance to reach more vulnerable households.