How 4Ps households can get free electricity

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Qualified low-income households in Iloilo City, particularly beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), can now receive up to a 100 percent discount on their electricity bills under the government’s Expanded Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program. Here’s what you need to know.

Beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) 4Ps no longer need to apply. They are automatically registered under the electricity subsidy for low-consumption households as mandated by Republic Act No. 11552, or the Expanded Lifeline Rate Law, and given a 100 percent discount under the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP).

Under the Supplementary and Amendatory Framework for the Implementing Rules and Regulations, all qualified 4Ps beneficiaries included in the latest DSWD-certified list shall be automatically registered under the LRSP, subject to data matching with customer records of distribution utilities.

For eligible consumers whose names match distribution utility records, registration will be automatic and the subsidy will be reflected directly in their electricity bills. Those whose names do not match the records may apply through their distribution utility by presenting documents such as their latest electricity bill and a valid government ID.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has adopted a uniform national lifeline consumption threshold of 0 to 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh), which entitles qualified marginalized end-users to a 100 percent discount on applicable electricity charges within this consumption level.

Tiered discounts apply for consumption slightly above 50 kWh: 35 percent for 51 to 70 kWh, and 20 percent for 71 to 100 kWh. For distribution utilities with existing ERC-approved thresholds above 50 kWh, current discount structures for higher consumption levels will continue to apply.

While registration under the LRSP is automatic, the actual grant of the lifeline subsidy remains subject to compliance with the monthly electricity consumption threshold set by the ERC.

Non-4Ps households living below the poverty threshold set by the Philippine Statistics Authority, with electricity consumption not exceeding 50 kWh per month, may also qualify.

Those living in condominiums or subdivision projects, except government housing, users of net-metering services, and individuals convicted of electricity pilferage under the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity and Theft of Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Act of 1994 are not qualified for the subsidy.

The Enhanced Lifeline Rate Program, covered by ERC Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026, imposes a uniform national Lifeline Subsidy Rate of PHP 0.01 per kWh to be collected from subsidizing consumers.

Distribution utilities and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will serve as collection agents, while the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) will administer the Lifeline Subsidy Fund.

The program was officially launched in Iloilo City on March 6, 2026 at the La Paz Plaza Gym by the ERC in partnership with MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), with the updated guidelines taking effect for the March/April 2026 billing cycle.

Among those present during the launching were ERC Chair Francis Juan, MORE Power President Roel Castro, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin, Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol, DSWD Assistant Secretary Marites Maristela, and Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, along with representatives from various government agencies.

Capongcol explained that the program expands the government’s lifeline assistance to benefit more marginalized electricity consumers.

“More Power is here to assist and make sure that the programs in the city will be successful,” Castro said.

The lifeline rate is a subsidy on monthly electricity bills granted to low-income households and marginalized end-users that have difficulty paying their electricity bills at full cost, as provided under Section 73 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). R.A. 11552 further strengthened this social protection mechanism by clearly identifying qualified beneficiaries, including households covered by the 4Ps.

Pursuant to the instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD will continue to bridge 4Ps beneficiaries to the programs and services of other government agencies or private institutions to ensure that they will not slide back to poverty.

The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and human capital investment program that provides conditional cash transfers to poor households for a maximum period of seven years to improve their children’s health, nutrition, and education.