A total of P365 million in electricity charges will be subsidized by 121 electric cooperatives (EC) in the Pantawid Liwanag Program.
According to Rodrigo Sacedor, chairperson of the National Center of Electric Cooperatives Consumers, Inc. (NCECCO), this will hold the record for the ECs as they go all out to help over 3 million consumers nationwide.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put this nation not only in grave health crisis but also in serious economic slowdown.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put this nation not only in grave health crisis but also in serious economic slowdown,” Sacedor said. “The poor and unprepared Filipinos will be the most vulnerable to suffer COVID-19’s devastating effects. The sick becomes sicker and the poor becomes poorer.”
The Pantawid Liwanag program is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program initiated by the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) in cooperation with the National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperatives (NAGMEC) and the Philippine Association of Board of Directors of Rural Electric Cooperatives (PHABDREC).
It targets poor electricity consumers affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
Customers who consumed not more than 50 kilowatt-hours will be given free electricity for the months of March and April.
Being an advocate of the rights and interests of electricity consumers nationwide, NCECCO commended the Pantawid Liwanag program.
“One of the things that will make a difference is the outpouring of acts of kindness.”
“One of the things that will make a difference is the outpouring of acts of kindness from those who are able to and capable of sharing the burden which generally becomes more agonizing as the days go by,” he stressed.
“From stories of private individuals giving out goods to poor families up to the implementation of various government programs from the national down to every barangays – all of which spur and inspire positivity which keeps the chain of giving going,” Sacedor added.
He said NCECCO has seen the magnitude of the program and realized the impact it has not only to the recipients but also to other sectors.
Sacedor has posed this challenge.
“In partaking our share in the government’s call for Bayanihan,NCECCO calls for upstream reciprocity from the beneficiaries of the program to do the same kindness to others,” he said. “And to those who have witnessed the advantages of the program, we encourage you to share its effects and benefits.”