Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the electricity lifeline program should subsidize only the power costs of basic household appliances and not fully pay beneficiaries’ electricity bills.
The program mainly covers Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
Speaking at a Senate hearing, Gatchalian stressed that the subsidy is meant for essential use and should benefit only qualified poor households.
He warned that relying solely on consumption levels in the past allowed even unoccupied condominiums to avail of the subsidy.
Gatchalian, author of Republic Act 11552, said the law ensures long-term relief for low-income families by extending the lifeline rate subsidy for 50 years.
Under the program, qualified 4Ps households consuming 100 kilowatt-hours or less per month may receive electricity bill discounts ranging from 20 to 100 percent, depending on usage.IMT
