DOE Assures Fairness in Power Lifeline Rate Subsidy

The Department of Energy (DOE) has stressed fairness when it comes to the implementation of the extended electricity lifeline rate subsidy. According to the DOE, only the eligible beneficiaries would be given a discount.

DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan mentioned how the Republic Act 11552’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) now contain safeguards on the provision of subsidies. The subsidies will be given to the marginalized sector all while ensuring that there is little impact on the sectors giving the subsidies, which would be non-lifeline electricity consumers.

The IRR allows members of the marginalized sector to keep receiving electricity bill subsidies from the government for an additional 30 years after the first 20 years of the original RA have passed.

“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 fewer marginalized consumers and very minimal need for subsidy,” mentioned Marasigan.

Last October 28, RA 11552’s IRR was signed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the DOE.

RA 11552 is also called “An Act Extending and Enhancing the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act 9136 (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2021).”

The IRR touches on the process of acquiring lifeline subsidies as well as disqualifications, specifically for those residing in condominiums and net metering users.

Source: Philstar