AMID PUBLIC OUTRAGE over what has been referred to as “bills shocks,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) took a swipe at the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for spreading lies to justify exorbitant rates charged to consumers.
According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, it’s Meralco that has been largely benefitting from its high generation charge, even as he defended beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Una, fake news si Meralco. Hindi 4Ps ang rason kung bakit lumaki ang pag singil noong April. Yung bill shock na yun nanggaling sa sarili nilang generation. Tumaas ang generation expense nila.” Gatchalian said in an interview.
Unlike residential units and commercial establishments, Gatchalian disclosed that 4Ps households with limited appliances are consuming way below the 50 kilowatt hour threshold.
“Napakaliit lang ng kinukunsumo ng 4Ps. Pag sinuma-total mo lahat, ang average niyan, wala pang kalahati ng sentimo ang napupunta sa lifeline rate. Ganun kaliit kasi nga halos wala namang appliances sa bahay ‘yan para patakbuhin. To the most, isang electric fan at ilang bumbilya. So, hindi sila ang rason kung bakit sumipa ng ganun kalaki.”
Citing recent records, Gatchalian further noted only 135,411 4Ps households are currently enrolled in the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP), compared to Meralco’s 8.11 million residential, business, and industrial customers.
He likewise supported calls to revisit and amend the Expanded Lifeline Rate Law, provided the rates are not passed to consumers.
“Sang-ayon kami doon sa panukala, maliit lang ito dapat i-absorb na ng Meralco. At sana, kapag tinawag na kami, tatawagin kami sa Senado para i-revisit ang panukalang iyan, ako ang sasabihin ko, biro mo, sa laki ng kanilang sinisingil, dapat sana sila mag-absorb nito.”
The 4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy and a human capital investment program of the Philippine government, with the DSWD as the lead agency.
Eligible household beneficiaries are entitled to cash subsidies, provided they strictly comply with the conditions on health, nutrition, and education
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