ANTIQUE – The Lifeline Rate Program of the government has so far benefitted 5,770 household members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in this province.
The program grants discounted electricity rates to qualified 4Ps recipients who consume not more than 100 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of power in a month.
Jeffrey Gabucay, 4Ps Antique Provincial Link, yesterday said that household beneficiaries availing themselves of the discount can use their money, supposedly to be paid for their electric bill, to meet their other needs.
“It could somehow alleviate their situations,” Gabucay said.
According to Antique Electric Cooperative, the program mandated by Republic Act 11552, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act 2001, provides discounts ranging from 20 percent to 100 percent in their monthly dues.
Department of Energy (DOE) data showed that in Western Visayas, there are 34,969 household beneficiaries, with Antique having the highest enrollees for the subsidized rate program.
According to the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission, aside from 4Ps members, others who may avail of the Lifeline Rate Program are those who belong to a household of at least five members and have a combined monthly income of P12,030 who consumes not more than 100 kWh of power in a month./PN
