The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) urged local government units to provide free electricity to the most vulnerable households in the country.
ULAP President Dakila “Dax’’ Cua said the 100 percent discount on electricity charges is a timely intervention amid the soaring prices of prime commodities due to the Middle East conflict, adding that the “Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP)’’ could ease the financial struggles of our constituents.
“Ang matitipid nila sa kuryente ay maaaring idagdag sa pambili ng pagkain at iba pang mahalagang gastusin (The money they can save from the electricity bills may be added to their food and other important expenses),’’ Cua explained.
Earlier this year, the government announced the automatic registration of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to the LRSP. The Energy Regulatory Commission revealed that an estimated 4.5 million Filipino households could benefit from the LRSP, which provides free electric coverage to qualified households that consume up to 50 kilowatt-hours per month.
Cua said that with the automatic registration of 4Ps beneficiaries, the LGUs could focus on providing assistance to other households that are also in need of assistance.
“Using the ERC’s numbers, that would still be around 1.5 million households below the poverty threshold that could receive a big boost from having to pay zero in their electric bills,” Cua pointed out.
Records from the Department of Energy (DOE) revealed that households of at least five members that have a combined monthly income of P12,030 are also eligible for the lifeline rate.