The ‘power bloc’ of the House of Representatives renewed its commitment to promoting the rights of both electric cooperatives (ECs) and member-consumer-owners (MCOs) following the passage of two measures–House Bill 8145 and House Bill 8203–aimed at extending the implementation of lifeline rate subsidy and promoting the use of microgrid systems in the country.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 19, approved on third and final reading House Bill 8145, which seeks to extend the implementation of the lifeline rate for marginalized or low-income electricity consumers for another 10 years.
The Power Bloc said they are committed to advocating on behalf of all ECs and MCOs nationwide to ensure access to affordable, reliable and sustainable supply of electricity.
“Ang HB 8145 ay panukalang batas na isinumite ng mga representante mula sa Power Bloc upang mapalawig pa ang implementasyon ng Lifeline Rate. Ang Lifeline Rate ay isang subsidiyang ibinibigay sa mga marginalized o low income consumers na nahihirapan o walang kakayahang magbayad ng kuryente sa buong presyo nito,” the Power Bloc said in a statement.
The Power Bloc is composed of party-list representatives, namely Rep. Presley De Jesus (PHILRECA), Rep. Sergio Dagooc (APEC), Rep. Godofredo Guya (RECOBODA) and Rep. Adriano Ebcas (Ako Padayon Pilipino).
“Ang pangunahing layunin ng panukalang ito ay ang pagpapalawig ng implementasyon ng lifeline rate subsidy ng karagdagang sampung taon o hanggang sa taong 2031. Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, inaasahan na makakatulong ang lifeline rate sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ng interbensyon ng gobyerno upang matustusan ang araw-araw na bayarin,” they added.
Also approved by Congress on the third and final reading was House Bill 8203, which promotes the use of microgrid systems to accelerate the total electrification of unserved and underserved areas nationwide.
“Ang HB 8203 naman ay nagtataguyod ng pagkakaroon ng Microgrid Systems sa mga lugar na hindi lubusang naaabot ng linya ng kuryente. Ang Microgrid System ay ang pagsasama-sama ng iba’t ibang pinagkukunan ng kuryente at magkakakabit na ‘loads’ sa isang grupo na tumatakbo bilang isang yunit na namamahala sa distribution at subtransmission sa mga lugar na nangangailangan ng kuryente. Maaari itong kumunekta at kumalag sa main grid upang mapaandar ng nakakabit o sa sariling enerhiya,” they said.
Also approved by Congress on third and final reading was House Bill 8203, which promotes the use of microgrid systems.
The Power Bloc said they are committed to advocating on behalf of all ECs and MCOs nationwide to ensure access to affordable, reliable and a sustainable supply of electricity.
“Katuwang ng Power Bloc sa adhikaing ito ang mga rural electric cooperatives, lalung-lalo na ang mga nasa Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) Areas upang ipaglaban ang kanilang karapatan sa pagkamit ng maaasahang suplay ng kuryente,” they said.