ILOILO City — Nearly 150,000 poor households in Western Visayas are set to receive free electricity under the government’s Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program, a move aimed at easing the financial burden of low-income families struggling to pay for basic utilities.
A total of 149,896 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) across the region are eligible to receive a 100‑percent discount on electricity consumption of 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less per month, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).
The program effectively makes electricity free for qualified households whose monthly consumption remains within the threshold.
The initiative was formally launched on March 6 at the municipal covered gym in Guimbal, Iloilo, led by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
Those eligible include 4Ps beneficiaries and non‑4Ps households living below the poverty threshold set by the Philippine Statistics Authority and whose electricity consumption does not exceed the lifeline rates set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
However, certain households are not qualified for the subsidy. These include residents of condominiums or subdivision projects except government housing projects, consumers availing of net‑metering services, those who fall within the consumption threshold but are not considered qualified marginalized end‑users, and individuals convicted of violating electricity anti‑pilferage laws.
The national government targets about three million beneficiaries nationwide, but as of now more than 300,000 households have already availed themselves of the program.
For 4Ps beneficiaries whose names match the records of their distribution utilities, registration will be automatic and no additional documents will be required. The subsidy will simply be reflected in their electricity bills.
For those whose names do not match the distribution utility records, they are advised to coordinate with their respective power providers and submit supporting documents such as their latest electric bill, a valid government ID, and a completed application form.
Garin said Guimbal was chosen as the launching site to showcase the town and Iloilo’s 1st District while also expressing gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., whom she credited for initiating the program for marginalized sectors.
She emphasized that the subsidy will allow poor households to redirect money previously used for electricity payments to other basic needs such as food, children’s education, and household necessities.
“Indi ikaw mag-sobra sa 50 kilowatt hour, kinahanglan mag-conserve man kita ka kuryente para malibre kita, kinahanglan 50 or below lang, bastante dun dia,” Garin said, urging beneficiaries to keep their electricity consumption within the 50‑kWh threshold.
She explained that once consumption exceeds the limit, beneficiaries will temporarily lose the subsidy.
“Once makasobra ikaw, out of the list ikaw. Kon makalab-ot ikaw liwat 50 and below amo ran liwat maka-avail ikaw,” she added.
Garin also clarified that as long as a beneficiary’s name appears on the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) list and matches the name on the electricity bill, the subsidy will automatically apply.
“Wala dun sang registration, siguruon mo nga nakalista ikaw sa DSWD kag imo ngalan sa bill,” she said.
Beneficiaries welcomed the program, saying it would significantly reduce their monthly expenses.
Ruth Cabugwason of Barangay Bita Norte, Oton, Iloilo, said the subsidy is a big relief for her family since she has no regular income. Her household consumes about 40 to 45 kilowatt-hours per month and typically pays around P800 monthly.
“Daku gid nga bulig kapin pa kon ang balayran namon daku, makapiyan-piyan gid,” Cabugwason said.
Rowena Rodelas of San Joaquin, Iloilo, who sells goods at a local market while her husband works as a cook without stable income, said the subsidy would help ease their financial struggles. Their household electricity bill averages around P500 per month.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi malaking tulong eto sa amin,” Rodelas said.
DSWD Region 6 director Joselito Estember also welcomed the program, noting that thousands of Pantawid beneficiaries in the region stand to benefit from the subsidy.
“Nagapasalamat kita with the partnership of Department of Energy, ang aton nga Pantawid beneficiaries diri sa Iloilo and bilog nga Western Visayas a total of 146,000 ng maka-avail sini possible sang aton nga mga discounted but for free kon 50 kilowatts per month ang ila ma-consume per month,” Estember said.
The 149,896 qualified beneficiaries in Western Visayas include 76,310 from Iloilo, 25,028 from Capiz, 21,425 from Antique, 21,021 from Aklan, and 6,112 from Guimaras.
Also present during the launching of the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program were Energy Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol, ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino, Social Welfare assistant secretary Marites Maristela, National Electrification Administration deputy administrator Rossan Rosero‑Lee, and other officials./PN
