NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Third Regular Session 
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24 ocno PI :44
SENATE BILL NO. 2849
IM-QilVLu hV:
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIFELINE 
RATE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 73 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
9136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ''ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM 
ACT OF 2001," AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The proposed amendment aims to enhance financial assistance provisions for 
low-income households in the Philippines, particularly during natural disasters and 
calamities. Recognizing that access to electricity is fundamental for daily living and 
economic participation, this initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burdens faced by 
vulnerable families, especially in the aftermath of disasters that disrupt their 
livelihoods and infrastructure.
The Philippines is frequently affected by a range of natural disasters, including 
typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, which can devastate communities and exacerbate 
existing poverty levels. The aftermath of such calamities often leaves low-income 
families struggling to afford essential services like electricity, leading to further 
hardship and hindering recovery efforts. This amendment addresses this critical need 
by providing timely financial assistance that ensures continued access to electricity 
during emergencies.
Thus the proposed legislation will provide a one-time financial assistance of not 
more than P2,000.00 specifically for electricity services to eligible low-income 
households impacted by natural disasters.


By providing essential financial assistance for electricity services, this amendment 
not only alleviates immediate financial burdens but also contributes to the long-term 
recovery and resilience of affected households.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
"TOL" N. TOLENTINO 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
}
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
Third Regular Session 
}
24 OCT 10 P1 :44
SENATE BILL NO.
PtCiiivi;: ::v.
Introduced by SENATOR FRANCIS "TOL" N. TOLENTINO
AN ACT TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIFELINE 
RATE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 73 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
9136, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY REFORM 
ACT OF 2001," AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 73 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric
2 
Power Industry Reform Act of 2001", is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
"Sec. 73. Lifeline Rate. — In order to provide assistance to electricity
4 
consumers, especially those living below the poverty line, and to achieve a more
5 
equitable distribution of the lifeline subsidy, a socialized pricing mechanism called a
6 
lifeline rate for qualified marginalized end-users shall be set by the ERC which shall be
7 
exempted from the cross subsidy phase-out under this Act for a period of fifty (50)
8 
years, unless otherwise extended by law. The level of consumption, subsidy, and rate
9 
shall be determined by the ERC after due notice and hearing: Provided, That the ERC
10 
shall primarily utilize data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the
11 
determination of the level of consumption.
12 
"Qualified marginalized end-users shall refer to any of the following:
13 
"(a) Qualified household-beneficiaries under Republic Act No. 11310, otherwise
14 
known as the "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act," as regularly submitted
15 
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the DOE, the ERC,
16 
and the distribution utility, whose level of consumption shall be within the threshold
17 
determined by the ERC, are qualified marginalized end-users under this Act; or


1 
"(b) Marginalized end-users who have been certified and continually validated
2 
as such by their distribution utility based on a criteria determined by the ERC:
3 
Provided, That the criteria shall take into account, among others, the poverty threshold
4 
set by the PSA, and shall contain an exclusive list of requirements to be submitted to
5 
the distribution utility: Provided, further. That the exclusive list of requirements shall
6 
be simplified and reasonable for the applicant: Provided, furthermore. That the
7 
distribution utility shall act on the application for certification as a marginalized end-
8 
user within two (2) working days from submission of complete documentary
9 
requirements: Provided, finaiiy. That the distribution utility's action on the application
10 
shall be within ten (10) working days during the initial implementation of this Act.
11 
"All qualified marginalized end-users shall continually meet the criteria in this
12 
Act to avail of the lifeline rate.
13 
"The ERC shall promulgate rules and guidelines for qualified marginalized end-
14 
users whose meters or service connections are not registered in their name.
15 
"The ERC shall submit to the Joint Congressional Energy Commission an annual
16 
report on the implementation of the lifeline rate. To achieve the objective of providing
17 
assistance to electricity consumers especially those having below the poverty line and
18 
ensure a more equitable distribution of the lifeline subsidy, the ERC shall conduct a
19 
comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of its implementation every two
20 
(2) years to include modes of validation and prevention of leakages."
21 
"IN ADDITION, ALL QUALIFIED MARGINALIZED END-USERS WHO
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ARE BENEFICIARIES OF THE LIFELINE RATE AND ARE AFFECTED BY
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TYPHOONS AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS SHALL RECEIVE A ONE-TIME
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUBSIDY OF NOT MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND
25 
PESOS (P2,000.00) TO HELP COVER THEIR ELECTRICITY COSTS DURING
26 
THE EMERGENCY PERIOD."
27 
SECTION 2. Transitory Provision. The current level of consumption, subsidy,
28 
and rate shall continue to be applied to all marginalized end-users of all distribution
29 
utilities until such time that a new level of consumption, subsidy, and rate shall have
30 
been determined and approved by the ERC in accordance with Section 1 of this Act.
31 
SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The ERC, together with the
32 
DOE and DSWD, in consultation with the PSA and other public and private
33 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
34 
within ninety (90) calendar days from its effectivity.
35 
SECTION 4. Separability Ciause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act
36 
or any part thereof shall be held unconstitutional and invalid, the other parts or


1 
provisions of this Act, which are not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and
2 
effect.
3 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
4 
or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
5 
amended, or modified accordingly.
Approved,