THE GOVERNMENT is seeking to broaden electricity subsidies for low-income households, with the Department of Energy (DOE) looking to expand and simplify access to the Lifeline Rate Program, the DOE said on Wednesday, November 19.
The DOE said the initiative follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive in his 4th State of the Nation Address that the benefit be extended beyond current beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), as the government seeks to cushion marginalized families from rising power costs.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the DOE is streamlining enrollment procedures through automated data matching with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), eliminating the need for 4Ps households to file documents manually. For low-income families outside the 4Ps, field validation by social workers will be conducted to confirm eligibility.
“Our priority is to ensure that those who need the subsidy most can access it easily, without lengthy procedures or excessive documentary requirements,” Garin said.
The DOE is also reviewing the minimum electricity consumption threshold required to qualify for the Lifeline Rate, in coordination with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Adjustments may allow households consuming slightly above current limits to access the subsidy, while keeping the program financially sustainable.
The ERC has finalized its proposed implementation approach and will soon hold public consultations on draft Lifeline Subsidy Rules. These rules seek to introduce a uniform subsidy for marginalized end-users and a uniform charge for subsidizing customers.
Officials said the reforms form part of a broader “Energy Family” strategy to harmonize regulatory, technical, and customer-side processes across agencies. Updated guidelines will be released once consultations are completed. (ABS-CBN News)
