QUEZON CITY — The House Committee on Energy has greenlit landmark measures seeking to stop power distribution utilities from passing system loss costs onto consumers and to promote localized household energy generation.
Lawmakers on Monday, October 12, advanced substitute bills consolidating 43 House bills and two resolutions aimed at reforming the country’s power sector. The legislative push follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during his July State of the Nation Address to address unfair electricity fees.
Authored by key House leaders including Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the proposed measure aims to stop utilities from charging residential clients for non-technical energy inefficiencies.
Advocates argue the current policy places an unjust financial burden on captive markets.
Highlighting this sentiment, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Representative Lordan Suan criticized the practice.
“It is unjust to pay for electricity you do not consume,” Suan said, adding that passing these costs to citizens runs counter to proper business accountability.
If enacted, the legislation will amend Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. Lawmakers project the bill will “provide meaningful relief to Filipino consumers by eliminating a charge that should properly be borne by the entities responsible for managing and operating the (electricity) distribution network.”
Alongside the system loss ban, the panel chaired by Palawan 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez also approved the proposed “Sariling Kuryente Act.” This companion measure seeks to simplify regulatory requirements for installing household solar and energy storage systems, helping families cut utility expenses and reduce grid dependence.
Proponents noted that current “unnecessary procedures and restrictions” have long hindered widespread adoption.