The Lifeline Rate Extension Bill which seeks to extend the implementation of lifeline rate subsidy for another 30 years gets a nod from the Bicam Conference Committee held on Tuesday, March 16.
As principal authors of HB 8145, Power Bloc Representatives Presley De Jesus of PHILRECA Party-List and Assistant Minority Leader Sergio Dagooc of APEC Party-List are among the conferees. HB 8145 aims to give assistance to marginalized or low-income consumers who have difficulty or inability to pay for their electricity at its full price.
The #PowerBloc members who are the main sponsors of this bill are Party-list Representatives Presley De Jesus of PHILRECA, Adriano Ebcas of Ako Padayon Pilipino, Godofredo Guya of RECOBODA, and AML Sergio Dagooc of APEC Party-list.
The Department of Energy stated that lifeline subsidies remain necessary for those who would be unable to breach the poverty threshold by 2051 and that “continued provision of lifelines rates [which will be shouldered by non-lifeline consumers] has very minimal impact to electricity rates”.
This recommendation was positively accepted and unanimously supported by the members of the Senate, including Senator Nancy Binay and Senator Imee Marcos.
Senate Energy Committee Chair Win Gatchalian also extended gratitude to Power Bloc Members for their support to the 30-year extension, especially to the manifestations of support from Representative Sergio Dagooc and Representative Presley de Jesus. He states that they are “frontliners in terms of the power sector” as they represent the electric cooperatives scattered all over the nation including those in the grassroots or the “bulk of the low-income electric consumers”.
“Thirty (30) years extension is feasible and will allow the energy sector to make strides in achieving secure and affordable electric power supply,” AML Dagooc said.
The recommendation was positively accepted and unanimously supported by the members of the Senate, including Senator Nancy Binay and Senator Imee Marcos.
The #PowerBloc members who are the main sponsors of this bill are Party-list Representatives Presley De Jesus of PHILRECA, Adriano Ebcas of Ako Padayon Pilipino, Godofredo Guya of RECOBODA, and AML Sergio Dagooc of APEC Party-list.