Marikeño indigent families apply for power subsidy program
Some indigent families in Marikina City were able to apply to the Manila Electric Company (Meralco)'s "Lifeline Rate" program that aims to subsidize electricity costs for marginalized customers.
Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro and District 1 Representative Marjorie Ann "Maan" Teodoro graced the program on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Teatro Marikina.

Some of the families were beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and others belonged within the national poverty threshold, based on the criteria of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
They were all certified by the city's Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO).
The households also consume zero to 100 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity per month, which made them eligible for the subsidy of the electric company.

According to Meralco, the Lifeline Rate is a "socialized pricing mechanism" that offers discount percentages relative to the customer's kWh consumption bracket, covering 100 kWh and below of used electricity per month.
It is meant to help low-income customers who cannot afford to pay their monthly electricity bills fully.
The subsidized rates range from a 100 percent discount for zero to 20 kWh consumed electricity, 50 percent for 21 to 50 kWh, 35 percent for 51 to 70 kWh, and 20 percent for 71 to 100 kWh.
For non-4Ps beneficiaries, the Lifeline Rate is valid for three years from the date issuance of certification by the SWDO.
For 4Ps beneficiaries, the rate is valid as long as they are included in the annual 4Ps list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Information on the applications for the Lifeline Rate can be viewed on Meralco's website.