Proposals to amend the much-maligned Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) are beginning to snowball in the House of Representatives.

This, after House Deputy Majority Leader Quezon City 5th district Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas filed House Bill No. 10306, which sought to tweak the 2001 law and strengthen public protection against charges that should not be passed on to citizens.

The measure aligns with President Marcos' directive in his July 27 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to lower electricity costs and improve efficiency in the energy sector.

Under the proposal, non-technical losses such as electricity theft and system deficiencies can no longer be charged to consumers.

Only legitimate transmission and distribution losses may be included, subject to stricter and fairer limits.

"Malinaw ang mensahe ng Pangulo—dapat gumaan ang pasanin ng mamamayan sa kuryente. Sa HB No.10306, tinatama natin ang matagal nang mali kung saan ang inefficiencies sa sistema ay ipinapasa pa sa konsyumer," Vargas said.

(The President’s message is clear—electricity costs must be lighter for the people. With HB No.10306, we correct the long-standing injustice where system inefficiencies are passed on to consumers.)

Currently, system loss charges form part of monthly electricity bills, allowing distribution utilities to recover lost energy in transmission and distribution.

Vargas, a second-termer, insisted that citizens should not bear losses caused by negligence or illegal acts.

"Hindi makatarungan na ang isang pamilyang Pilipino ay magbabayad para sa kuryenteng ninakaw o nasayang dahil sa kahinaan ng sistema. Panahon na para ilagay ang pananagutan kung saan ito nararapat," he noted.

(It is unjust for Filipino families to pay for stolen or wasted electricity due to system weaknesses. It is time to place accountability where it belongs.)

The bill also lowers and restructures the system loss cap to ensure that savings and operational efficiency directly benefit consumers in their electricity bills.

According to Vargas, affordable electricity is vital not only for households but also for small businesses, education, and health services.

Kung seryoso tayo sa layunin ng Pangulo na pababain ang gastos ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, dapat nating simulan sa pagtanggal ng mga hindi makatarungang singil sa kuryente—at ito ang nangunguna nating isinusulong sa panukalang ito," said Quezon City lawmaker.

(If we are serious about the President’s goal of reducing household expenses, we must start by removing unjust electricity charges—and this is what we are prioritizing in this proposal.)

HB No. 10306 is expected to be discussed in the appropriate House committee in the coming weeks.