THE Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) calls on eligible beneficiaries to apply for the lifeline rate power subsidy as new qualifications are now in place.
Fermin Edillon, head of the Reputation Enhancement Department at Davao Light, emphasized that qualified individuals can reach out to their offices to initiate the subsidy application process.
According to the law, those eligible for the subsidy include Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and individuals living below the poverty threshold as defined by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with certification issued by the local Social Welfare Development Office (SWDO).
This subsidy aligns with the updated guidelines under Republic Act 11552, titled "An Act Extending and Enhancing the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending Section 73 of Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001."
Previously, households or establishments consuming less than 100 kilowatts per hour (kWh) automatically qualified for the subsidy.
However, Edillon clarified that this time eligible beneficiaries must apply first.
"But as long as kung kinsa ang mo-apply ginadawat man namo (As long as someone applies, we accept applications)," Edillon said.
Davao Light has identified approximately 65,000 eligible individuals out of its more than 475,000 customers.
The company began accepting applications on May 2, 2023, and the new lifeline rate subsidy guidelines will take effect on September 1.
In a related initiative, a two-week onsite lifeline rate power subsidy application drive targeting 4Ps beneficiaries from Buhangin A, Buhangin B, and Agdao districts is currently underway at SM Lanang Premier.
Davao Light, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) and the Department of Energy-Mindanao (DOE-Mindanao), collaborated with SM Lanang Premier to organize the onsite application event, which began on September 18 and will continue until September 30, operating from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Mao ning usa sa mga strategy nato, kita nay moduol sa mga beneficiaries nato who are mga tan-aw namo makabenepisyo sa mga sama ani (This is one of our strategies to reach out to beneficiaries who we believe can benefit from events like this),” he said.
The two-week event aims to raise awareness and encourage applications for the Lifeline Rate Subsidy program to assist more than 6,000 beneficiaries under the 4Ps program.
Meanwhile, DSWD-Davao has listed approximately 5,208 4Ps beneficiaries in Buhangin A, Buhangin B, and Agdao districts who can take advantage of the subsidy application process within the mall.
It's worth noting that in a joint advisory issued on September 5, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extended the registration period for eligible lifeline rate program beneficiaries until January 2024, starting from January 1, 2024. After this date, only individuals with approved applications will be eligible for the subsidy provided under the Lifeline Rate Program. ICE with reports from PNA