The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) reaffirmed its commitment to consumer welfare and electric cooperative (EC) sustainability through strengthened collaboration with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on the implementation of the Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy Rate under ERC Resolution No. 2, series of 2026.
Held on 25 February 2026, PHILRECA, ERC, and APEC Party-List engaged in a comprehensive dialogue to address financial, operational, and implementation concerns initially raised by the ECs on the Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy Program.
The discussion centered on ensuring that the program achieves its objectives of providing equitable electricity assistance to marginalized member-consumer-owners (MCOs) while maintaining the financial viability of the ECs.
Moving forward, PHILRECA and ERC collectively agreed to continuously collaborate and explore additional measures that will further strengthen transparency and improve subsidy targeting.
PHILRECA proactively highlighted key implementation concerns, including funding sufficiency, timely disbursement of the lifeline subsidy fund, and beneficiary targeting accuracy through the 4Ps list from the Department of Social and Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Association emphasized the importance of coordinated institutional support to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.
PHILRECA Executive Director and General Manager, Atty. Janeene Depay-Colingan underscored that the collaborative engagement reflects a shared commitment to balancing social protection objectives with sector sustainability.
“PHILRECA fully supports the objective of providing and expanding equitable electricity assistance to our socially disadvantaged MCOs nationwide. Our collaborative engagement with ERC reflects our collective vision to ensure that the Uniform Lifeline Subsidy Program remains socially responsive and financially sustainable for ECs,” Atty Depay-Colingan stated.
Likewise, Hon. Sergio C. Dagooc of APEC Party-List expressed support for the Commission’s initiatives to advance policies that safeguard the welfare of marginalized MCOs.
“We fully support the efforts of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that a greater number of qualified marginalized consumers benefit from the Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy, consistent with the true intent and spirit of Republic Act No. 11552,” Cong Dagooc provided.
Cong. Dagooc also requests the ERC to undertake the necessary remedies and interventions that may arise during the implementation of the ERC Resolution No. 2, series of 2026.
“We respectfully request, however, that the Commission remain responsive to emerging implementation issues and, should amendments or modifications to its issuances become necessary, that these be undertaken promptly to safeguard both consumer welfare and distribution utility stability,” he added.
The Commission assured PHILRECA and its member-ECs that it will conduct necessary monitoring of the Lifeline Subsidy Fund to ensure its solvency and ability to meet the required funding to guarantee the program’s sustainability and avoid unwarranted financial and operational implications to the sector.
Moving forward, PHILRECA and ERC collectively agreed to continuously collaborate and explore additional measures that will further strengthen transparency and improve subsidy targeting.
