President Marcos aims to further reduce electricity rates by expanding the nation’s power infrastructure, promising a stable, efficient, and more affordable energy supply for all Filipinos.
Acknowledging the high electricity prices in the country, Mr. Marcos touted the government’s ongoing initiatives to reduce such financial burden among consumers during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
These include a fairer Lifeline Rate program for low-income households, the temporary suspension of the FIT-All Tariff, the Anti-Bill Shock program, the suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market during red alerts, and refunds for overcharges.
“We are reviewing the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to determine if it is still suitable for our current situation or if amendments are necessary. I urge Congress to work with us on this for the benefit of all Filipinos,” Mr. Marcos stated.
The Chief Executive flaunted the gains of his administration in the energy sector by addressing systemic causes of massive blackouts that occurred in some provinces in previous months.
“We are remedying the needs of areas without electricity and those frequently experiencing brownouts through microgrid and off-grid systems, supported by solar-powered small utilities,” he said.
Mr. Marcos enumerated some of the vital energy infrastructure projects completed under his watch, including the newly inaugurated Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose transmission line, which covers the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan that will bolster the reliability of the Luzon power grid.
In the Visayas, he said all stages of the Cebu-Negros-Panay backbone project has been completed. This is to stabilize the power situation in Western and Central Visayas, preventing past power outages.
Mr. Marcos credited this project for averting blackouts on Panay Island from April to June despite yellow and red alerts in the region.
Last week, the Dumanjug-Corella Line of the Cebu-Bohol Interconnection Project was energized, facilitating power transfer between Cebu and Bohol. These systems, now operating at full capacity, will enhance power exchanges not only between Luzon and the Visayas but also including Mindanao.
Energy sharing between the three island groups has become a reality with the energization of the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection last January, according to the President. He said this milestone marks the unification of the Philippine Grid, a vision that began in the 1980s.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “SONA 2024: Marcos seeks further reduction of electricity rates under his watch.”
