The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently announced that those living in condominiums or subdivision projects, except those residing in government housing projects and similar projects, are ineligible to benefit from the Lifeline Rate Program, even if their average power consumption is within the program’s parameters.
This announcement came after the ERC met with several distribution utilities, including Manila Electric Co. and electric cooperatives, to help them implement and provide information to their consumers about the program.
Under the amended law, the lifeline discount beneficiaries should come from marginalized households, defined as those who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid ng Pamilyang Pilipino Program or households that secured certification from the local Social Welfare Development Office.
The households will be entitled to the lifeline discount if their consumption meets the lifeline consumption threshold set by the ERC, which is 100 kWh for the Meralco service area.
ERC discussed the guidelines for distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in crafting their campaign materials for their respective electricity consumers during the pilot Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign on Republic Act 11552 and its implementing rules and regulations.
This law is known as “An Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the ‘Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001,’ As Amended by Republic Act No. 10150.”
