Antique to start PHP500 power bill subsidy in August

By Reamae Velasco, Daily Guardian Intern

Residents in Antique are set to receive a PHP500 monthly electricity subsidy starting August, following the approval of the proposal by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

The Antique SP approved Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 3 during its first regular session on Monday, July 14, with a total budget of PHP1.8 billion.

Part of the budget will fund a PHP500 monthly subsidy for 169,786 registered residential electricity consumers in the province over a three-year period.

Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay, chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, said the subsidy will come from the province’s surplus and savings from its share of the National Wealth Fund for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

The initiative is part of the Provincial Electric Power Subsidy Program, one of the key priorities of Governor Paolo Javier to ease household expenses.

Antique Provincial Development Council (PDC) Secretary General Bienvenido Nallos Jr. said the subsidy may already be reflected in consumer bills by August.

Households with active connections through Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) or Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) will automatically receive the subsidy, provided there are no arrears or service disconnections.

“Those whose monthly bills are below the PHP500 subsidy will have no more bills to pay,” Nallos said.

Of the 169,786 covered consumers, 154,471 are served by ANTECO, while 15,315 are connected through AKELCO.

The program also accounts for new residential connections established after its launch to ensure inclusivity.

In addition to the subsidy, PHP85 million from the SAIP budget is allocated to the Solar Energy Program, which aims to support solar power installations in government-owned buildings.