Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 21) — Condominium unit owners and residents inside subdivisions can no longer avail of the subsidized rates under Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) Lifeline Rate program, spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga announced on Wednesday.
The lifeline or subsidized rates are given to low-income customers using electricity below 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) who cannot afford to pay their bills at full cost.
Zaldarriaga said amendments to the Republic Act 11552 compelled Meralco to tighten its implementation of the lifeline rate.
\”Base po sa recent advisory, pinapaalalahanan o nagbigay po ng abiso ang Meralco [Based on a recent advisory, Meralco was notified] to immediately implement yung [the] disqualification of those who are not qualified to avail the lifeline rate. And at the same time, to start accepting applications, processing of applications for those who seek to avail the lifeline rate program,\” he explained.
According to the Meralco official, the law mandates that lifeline rates be given only to marginalized consumers, such as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
This means condominium unit owners and subdivision residents can no longer participate in the program. Zaldarriaga said a congressional hearing revealed that high-end condominium unit owners were receiving lifeline rate discounts in the past.
