Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has fired back at claims blaming Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries for the recent surge in electricity costs, calling the narrative “fake news.”
As consumers reel from the “bill shock” experienced this April, Gatchalian clarified that the burden of high electricity rates lies with the utility giant’s own power generation expenses, not the subsidies provided to the nation’s poorest.
In a recent interview, Gatchalian debunked the idea that 4Ps subsidies are driving up residential rates. He pointed directly to Meralco’s generation costs as the primary driver of the price hike.
“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.”
“4Ps is not the reason why billing increased this April. That bill shock came from their own generation. Their generation expenses went up.”
Gatchalian emphasized that the consumption footprint of a typical 4Ps household is negligible compared to commercial and high-end residential users. He noted that these families typically possess very few appliances.
“Napakaliit lang ng kinukonsumo ng 4Ps… ang average niyan, wala pang kalahati ng sentimo ang napupunta sa lifeline rate, P0.40 centavos… Kasi nga ang 4Ps halos wala namang appliances sa bahay… To the most isang electric fan at ilang bumbilya. So hindi sila ang rason kung bakit sumipa ng ganun kalaki.”
“The consumption of 4Ps [households] is very small… on average, less than half a centavo goes to the lifeline rate, or P0.40 centavos… Because 4Ps households hardly have any appliances… at most one electric fan and a few light bulbs. So they are not the reason why [the bill] spiked that significantly.”
A Call for Corporate Responsibility
With the Senate poised to revisit the Expanded Lifeline Rate Law, Gatchalian is advocating for a shift in who bears the cost, suggesting Meralco absorb the subsidy as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“Sang ayon kami doon sa panukala, maliit lang ito dapat i-absorb na ng Meralco… sa laki ng kanilang sinisingil, dapat sana sila mag-absorb nito. Parang CSR na nila.”
“We agree with the proposal; this is a small amount that Meralco should absorb… given the scale of what they charge, they should be the ones absorbing this. It should be like their CSR.”
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