President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries will now be included in the government’s Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program, which offers discounted electricity rates to low-income households.
Speaking at a Meralco event on February 14, Marcos said only 334,400 households—about 11% of the 3 million 4Ps beneficiaries—were registered for the subsidy as of November 2025 due to stringent requirements.
“Mahirap ka na nga, kailangan mo pang patunayan na mahirap ka,” he remarked, stressing the need to simplify rules.
Under the revised program, 4Ps beneficiaries consuming 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less per month will not have to pay electricity bills. Low-income families outside 4Ps but within the poverty threshold set by the Philippine Statistics Authority may also register if their consumption is minimal.
Marcos assured that the new lifeline consumption threshold will make the subsidy more equitable.
“Ito ang uri ng pamahalaang ating itinataguyod. Hindi dapat ang Pilipino ang naghahabol sa tulong. Ang tulong ang dapat ang lumapit sa mga Pilipino,” he said.
The inclusion of 4Ps households is expected to ease financial burdens and expand access to affordable electricity nationwide.