LIFELINE RATE. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Davao Region (DSWD-11) and the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) have joined hands for the implementation of a lifeline power rate for indigenous communities in the franchise area of the power firm in the region. The lifeline rate provides subsidies to qualified low-income electricity utility consumers, especially the Indigenous Peoples population, under DLPC’s area of coverage. (Infographics courtesy of DSWD-11)
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) and the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) have joined hands to offer electric subsidies for low-income households enrolled under the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps).
Michelle Franca, DSWD-11 information officer, said the subsidy grant is based on Republic Act No. 11552 or An Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate, whose targeted beneficiaries include 4Ps members.
The Lifeline Rate Act provides subsidies to qualified low-income electricity utility consumers who are financially unable to pay their electricity bills at full cost, as defined under Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.
“The DLPC started the registration this month until July and the implementation will be in August,” Franca said, adding that the two offices have already discussed the implementing rules and regulations and the salient provisions of the law.
DLPC’s franchise area covers Davao City and Panabo City, and the towns of Carmen, Dujali, and Santo Tomas in Davao del Norte.
Under the new guidelines, the lifeline subsidy can be availed by 4Ps program beneficiaries or non-4Ps beneficiaries whose family income falls below the poverty threshold, and whose monthly electricity consumption is 100kWh or below.
Specifically, Franca said the subsidized rate is given to low-income captive market end-users who cannot afford to pay at full cost.
Qualified household beneficiaries under Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise known as the 4Ps Act, are those regularly submitted by the DSWD to the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the distribution utility, whose levels of consumption are determined by the ERC.
“This means more buying power for other necessities such as food, transportation, and clothing,” Franca said.
Under the most recent rules, qualified customers for the lifeline rate must first apply and submit all requirements, and only customers with validated applications can avail. (PNA)
