Senate panels OK 10-year extension of lifeline rate

The Senate committees on energy and public services have approved a bill which seeks to extend the implementation of the lifeline rate, which grants subsidy to marginalized power consumers. In a committee report dated May 31, the Senate panels recommended that the chamber approve without amendments Senate Bill 2846, which seeks to amend Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 to extend the implementation of the lifeline rate by another 10 years. The EPIRA, passed in June 2001, mandated the implementation of lifeline subsidies for a period of 10 years. Thus, the lifeline rate will end this June 26. A 2008 resolution gave Manila Electric Co. lifeline rate consumers a 100 percent discount. Prior to EPIRA, discounts were set at 50 percent. Other bracket discounts were kept by the Energy Regulatory Commission at 50 percent for those consuming 21-50 kWh, 35 percent for 51-70 kWh and 20 percent for 71-100 kWh. Over 2.1 million Meralco customers or 45 percent of residential customers fall under the lifeline rates. — VS, GMA News