DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian. Photo courtesy of PNA.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were not responsible for the recent increase in electricity bills faced by consumers.
In an interview aired on television, Gatchalian said only 411 households under the government’s conditional cash transfer program were enrolled in the Lifeline Subsidy Program, a small figure compared with Meralco’s more than 8 million customers.
He explained that the rise in electricity charges stemmed mainly from higher generation costs imposed by Meralco and not from subsidies granted to low-income consumers.
Gatchalian added that electricity consumption among 4Ps beneficiaries remained minimal because most households owned only basic appliances such as electric fans and light bulbs.
According to the social welfare chief, the subsidy’s impact on consumers was extremely small, amounting to less than half a centavo when distributed across the entire customer base.
He also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development was open to revisiting the Expanded Lifeline Rate Law if investigations show that subsidy costs are being passed on to ordinary consumers. Gatchalian added that he would support proposals preventing utility firms from charging customers for lifeline subsidies if discussions reach the Senate.
Meralco earlier announced separate rate increases for March and April amounting to P0.5335 per kilowatt-hour each, bringing the overall rate to Php 14.3496 per kilowatt-hour in April. The company attributed the adjustments to higher transmission charges and the weaker peso, which affected power supply costs.
Amid growing concerns over electricity prices, Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed the proposed Kuryente Relief Act, which seeks to exempt households consuming 150 kilowatt-hours or less from value-added tax on electricity bills. She said the measure could reduce monthly expenses by around P250 to P300 for low- and middle-income families struggling with rising utility costs.