The Department of Energy (DOE) fully supports the extension of the Lifeline Rate for marginalized power customers, as well as the extension of the term of the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), which were signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III yesterday, June 21, 2011 at Malacañan Palace.
In line with the President’s antipoverty programs, it is the position of the Department that the extension of the lifeline rate will ensure the poor and underprivileged sector would still be able to afford electricity services. The lifeline rate is a subsidized electricity rate given to low-income residential power customers who are not able to pay the full cost of electricity. The DOE endorsed the extension of the lifeline rate to ensure that 2.02 million households nationwide will continue receiving discounted electricity rates since the provision is set to expire on June 26, 2011. With the enactment of the law, marginalized users are ensured of low-priced electricity up to 2021.
Meanwhile, the DOE also supports the enactment of the law that has extended the term of JCPC for an additional 10 years. This will help ensure the continued partnership of the Executive department and the Legislative department in implementing the provisions of not only the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) but the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 as well.
Representatives from the DOE, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., National Power Corp., National Electrification Administration, Philippine Electricity Market Corp., National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Energy Development Corp., Manila Electric Company, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association, Center for Clean and Renewable Energy Development and a number of lifeliners from Tondo graced the said event.
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