4Ps not to blame for power bill shock — Gatchalian

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) should not be blamed for the recent spike in electricity rates. DSWD Secretary Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian said the increase in April electricity bills was not caused by 4Ps households but by higher generation charges of Meralco. “4Ps is not the reason why the charges increased in April, as the bill shock came from their own generation expenses,” Gatchalian said. He stressed that beneficiaries of the government’s flagship poverty alleviation program consume minimal electricity due to limited appliance use. Gatchalian explained that most 4Ps households only use basic utilities such as electric fans and light bulbs, resulting in negligible power consumption. He added that the share of 4Ps households in the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program remains very small compared to Meralco’s millions of customers. The DSWD chief also expressed openness to reviewing the Expanded Lifeline Rate Law, provided that any adjustments will not be passed on to consumers. He suggested that the subsidy be absorbed by the power distributor as part of its corporate social responsibility. Gatchalian thanked taxpayers, particularly the middle class, for continuously funding the government’s social protection programs. He underscored that the 4Ps program has helped millions of Filipino families produce graduates and professionals, contributing to the administration’s goal of reducing poverty to single-digit levels by 2028.

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