Press Release: 2nd draft of implementing rules in granting electricity bill discounts to senior citizens posted for comments
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) posted in its website (www.erc.gov.ph) on 15 November 2010 the second draft of the Rules Implementing (formerly Calculating) the Senior Citizens Discount and Subsidy on Electricity Consumption under Sections 4 and 5 of Republic Act No. 9994. Stakeholders of the electric power industry are invited by the ERC to comment on the revised draft. Comments must be submitted to the ERC in either printed or electronic forms on or before 29 November 2010.
The 2nd draft of the Rules is based on the comments gathered by the ERC during the public consultations it held on 22 September 2010 at the ERC head office in Pasig City for Luzon, 29 September 2010 in Tagbilaran City for the Visayas and 06 October 2010 in Davao City for Mindanao. The 2nd draft of the rules now includes, among others, the standard qualification requirements for senior citizen end-users (which include residential senior citizens, group homes, care centers and institutions) applying for inclusion in the senior citizens discount scheme to facilitate the processing of senior citizen discount applications by distribution utilities. The manner of computing the discount was also revised to have it based on the percentage discount allowed under R.A. 9994 which is based on the total of all applicable charges as presented in the electricity bill.
R.A. 9994 grants senior citizens a five per cent (5%) discount on electricity consumption provided that the electric meter is registered under the name of the senior citizen residing in the house where the meter is installed. The monthly electricity consumption should not exceed 100 kWh. Nursing homes for senior citizens which are operated by a government institution or non-stock, non-profit domestic organizations to care for senior citizens, on the other hand, shall be entitled to 50% discount on their monthly electricity bill. A senior citizen is defined in R.A. 9994 as any resident citizen of the Philippines who is 60 years old and above.
“The ERC is fast tracking the process to finalize the Rules so that our senior citizens all over the country can already start enjoying the discount. It also seeks to have the rules complete in its coverage. The stakeholders in the electricity industry are urged to help the ERC finalize the Rules by submitting their comments on the said Rules to the ERC on or before 29 November 2010,” ERC chairperson and CEO Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut appealed.
November 25, 2010