The lone power distributor in Antique on Wednesday urged beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and other marginalized electricity-end users to apply for lifeline rate subsidy.

At a press conference, Antique Electric Cooperative (ANTECO) General Manager Neal Peter Veñegas, said that based on their Dec. 8 records, only 700 beneficiaries of 4Ps in the province have sought the lifeline rate subsidy, a program under Republic Act (RA) 11552 or the Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate until 2050, that has amended RA 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Report Act of 2001.

He added that no marginalized electricity-end users secured the program so far.

ANTECO, he added, is expecting at least 27,000 4Ps beneficiaries and other marginalized electricity-end users to apply for the subsidy.

Signed into law in May 2021, RA 11552 allows marginalized electricity consumers to avail of and benefit from the lifeline rate for a much longer time, from the previous 20 years to 50 years.

The law covers 4Ps beneficiaries and those who have been certified and continually validated as such by their power distribution utility.

He explained that before the passage of RA 11552, the subsidy was automatically deducted from the bill of marginalized electricity-end users who generate not more than 20 kilowatts per hour (kwh) of electricity every month.

With the implementation of RA 11552, marginalized electricity-end users and 4Ps beneficiaries have to secure the application form with the nearest recognized power distribution utilities in their municipalities or cities before they can avail of the subsidy.

“Anteco has a target of 27,000 4Ps beneficiaries and other marginalized electricity-end users to be able to avail of the subsidy starting January,” Veñegas said.

Anteco Institutional Services Department Manager Edward Enila said that the requirements for the 4Ps are duly accomplished application form, recent electricity bill of the electric service being applied for, and valid government-issued identification card containing the signature and address of the applicant.

For the marginalized electricity-end users, they have to secure certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office as an additional requirement from that of the 4Ps beneficiaries to be submitted before January 30. (PNA)