ERC Advisory

March 31, 2023

ADVISORY

RA 11552 or “An Act Extending and Enhancing the implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of Republic Act. No. 9136 (Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2021)” extended the 20-year-coverage subsidy provision to marginalized electricity consumers to 50 years. Signed into law in May 2021, RA 11552 allows marginalized electricity consumers to avail of and benefit from the lifeline rate for a much longer time, from the previous 20 years to 50 years. This means that those from the marginalized sector who consume electricity will continue to enjoy government subsidies in their electricity bill for an additional 30 years.

The law covers 4Ps beneficiaries and those who have been certified and continually validated as such by their power distribution utility. The actual discounts depend on the lifeline program per distribution utility approved by the ERC.

Who are the Beneficiaries of RA 11552?

All Qualified Marginalized End-Users who possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under the Act and shall be classified as:

1. 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝟰𝗣𝘀) recipients whose level of consumption shall be within the threshold determined by the ERC, and
2. M𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗱-𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 established by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

*All qualified marginalized end-users shall continually meet the above criteria to avail of the lifeline rate.

What are the Benefits Provided by RA 11552 to Qualified Marginalized End-Users?

Lifeline Rates or power bill discounts shall be granted based on the Lifeline Rate approved by the ERC. In SORECO II’s case this shall be:

Electricity Consumption	Power Bill Discount – LIFELINE RATE
0 – 15 kWHr	20%
16 kWHr	15%
17 kWHr	10%
18 – 20 kWHr	5%

What are the Rules Covering Registration of Electric Service to Avail of Lifeline Rates?

1. A Qualified Marginalized End-User may avail of the Lineline Rate for only ONE (1) electric service account.
2. Proof of Residency shall be provided: Government-issued ID or Barangay Certificate
3. As a general rule, the electric service account with SORECO II must be registered under the NAME OF THE PERSON applying as a Qualified Marginalized End-User.

The general rule may be waived under any of the following circumstances:

1. The applicant Qualified Marginalized End-User is a family or household member living in the same household covered by the electric service;
2. In cases where the dwelling unit is being leased to the applicant Qualified Marginalized End-User and the electric service account is in the name of the lessor or previous lessee/ occupant; or
3. In cases where the dwelling unit is being leased to a beneficiary of the 4Ps Act or any member of the 4Ps beneficiary’s household.

What are the Documents Required to Register to SORECO II to Avail of the Lifeline Rate?

For 4Ps Beneficiary Consumers

1. A duly accomplished 4Ps LIFELINER APPLICATION FORM.
   1. Most recent Electricity Bill (Notice of Billing).
   1. Any Government-Issued ID containing the picture, name, signature and address of the applicant consumer (e.g., LTO Driver’s License, PRC ID, Voter’s ID, UMID, etc.)

For Marginalized End-Users (Non 4Ps Beneficiary Consumers)

1. Certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office (SWDO) issued within six (6) months prior to the filing of the application, showing that family income is below the poverty threshold applicable at the time of application
2. A duly accomplished NON 4Ps LIFELINER APPLICATION FORM.
3. Most recent Electricity Bill (Notice of Billing).
4. Any Government-Issued ID containing the picture, name, signature and address of the applicant consumer (e.g., LTO Driver’s License, PRC ID, Voter’s ID, UMID, etc.)

Note: 4Ps and NON 4Ps LIFELINER APPLICATION FORMS shall be available in your nearest SORECO II Sub–Offices in Barcelona; Gubat; Prieto Diaz; Castilla; Pilar; Donsol; Putiao, Pilar; Sorsogon East and West District Office, Monreal Street, Sorsogon City; and Bacon District Office, Sorsogon City. 

What is the Validity Period of the Grant of the Lifeline Rate for Individual Beneficiaries?

4Ps Beneficiary Consumers

1. Lifeline Rate granted to Qualified Marginalized End-Users who are 4Ps beneficiaries shall be VALID WITHIN THE PERIOD INDICATED IN THE CERTIFIED LIST issued by the DSWD. However, the DSWD, after re-evaluation, may DELIST the said beneficiary earlier than the original period.
   1. In cases where the marginalized end-users are DELISTED by the DSWD from the list of Qualified 4Ps beneficiaries, SORECO II shall discontinue the grant of the lifeline rate no later than two (2) billing cycles from the time it received the list of delisted 4Ps beneficiaries. In such instances, SORECO II shall inform the end-user of his/her DELISTING based on the latest list of 4Ps beneficiaries received from DSWD.

For Marginalized End-Users (Non 4Ps Beneficiary Consumers)

1. Lifeline Rate granted to Qualified Marginalized End-Users who are not 4Ps beneficiaries shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the issuance of the Certification by the local SWDO.

Qualified Marginalized End-Users as defined by RA 11552 are advised to secure their complete documentary requirements this early to avoid the rush and long queues during implementation of the revised Lifeline Rate guidelines. This SORECO II Advisory is made in accordance with ERC Advisory date