The Department of Energy (DOE) has vowed to implement measures that will lessen the cost of electricity in the country, which is described as one of the most expensive in Asia.

One of the measures being eyed is the continuity of lifeline rate subsidy as among the programs that is seen as an effective way of providing relief, particularly, to the marginalized electricity consumers as stated in the recently approved and signed Republic Act No. 11552, or "An Act Extending and Enhancing the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act. No. 9136 (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2021).

The Implementing Rules and Regulations’ (IRR) of the law, however, pushes for appropriate targeting of subsidies.

"The IRR explicitly provided the procedures for the availment of the lifeline subsidy starting from the application by the electricity end-users, submission of documentary requirements that may attest to their qualification as a lifeline end-user, to be verified/validated by the distribution utilities," said DOE Asst. Secretary Mario Marasigan, speaking on behalf of Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.

"Necessary safeguards and mechanisms provided in the IRR will ensure that the benefits of lifeline rates are limited only to those qualified under the law and the amended IRR," he added.

Earlier, Lotilla imparts that the amended Lifeline Rate Program has the objective to protect the public interest as it is affected by the rates being passed on to consumers and services rendered by the distribution utilities.

Marasigan said another measure is the discounts for senior citizens that can be readily provided through the distribution utilities.

"The DOE also continues to encourage investments in the generation sector particularly those who use indigenous resources such as Renewable Energy," said Marasigan.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has vowed to work for the diversification into renewables and other sources that is imperative in the country’s expanding population, energy consumption and growing economy.

Electricity consumers living below the poverty threshold will benefit not only through subsidies but also through the revitalization of the country’s workforce, which is beneficial to revive the Philippine economy."

In the distribution sector, we mandated the distribution utilities to undergo a competitive selection process for their supply of electricity for them to get the lowest cost of supply available that will be passed-on to the consumers," said Marasigan.