ANTIQUE — The Provincial Government of Antique has released P90.63 million to subsidize electricity bills of consumers for January and February 2026 under its Provincial Electric Power Subsidy (PEPS) program.
The amount represents part of the province’s P600-million annual allocation for PEPS, which provides a P500 discount on the monthly electric bills of qualified consumers.
According to the Office of the Provincial Accountant, the subsidy was paid to Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO) and Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO).
Gov. Paolo Javier said the program continues to assist consumers amid rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“Nagsisitaasan na ang presyo ng langis, at siyempre kasama na rito ang pagtaas ng presyo ng kuryente. Kahit sa maliit na paraan, nakapagbibigay tayo ng tulong sa mga Antiqueñong konsumidor,” Javier said.
In January, 112,625 ANTECO consumers received subsidies totaling P43.75 million. In February, another 111,939 consumers benefited from P42.13 million in assistance.
Meanwhile, 11,866 AKELCO consumers in Antique received P4.75 million in subsidies for January.
Evangelene Pillado, a farmer from Barangay Tobias Fornier in Patnongon, said the program has significantly reduced their household expenses.
“Bahul gid nga bulig para mabuhinan amon baraydan,” Pillado said.
The Office of the Provincial Accountant is still processing payments for AKELCO consumers’ February and March bills, as well as ANTECO consumers’ March bill.
Provincial officials also announced that electricity expenses of government-owned buildings and facilities will soon be covered under the Institutional Provincial Electric Power Subsidy (IPEPS) program.
The initiative is expected to generate savings from the province’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, which will be used to purchase medicines and medical supplies for Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital./PN
