More household members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are eyed to benefit from the Expanded Lifeline Rate Program, which was formally launched here on Friday.

Under the program, households with a monthly consumption of 50 kilowatt-hour (kWh) and less are entitled to a 100 percent discount on their bills.

Further, those with consumption of 51 kWh to 60 kWh can avail of a 45 percent discount; 61 kWh to 70 kWh, 35 percent; 71 kWh to 80 kWh, 20 percent; and 81 kWh to 95 kWh, 10 percent.

In her message, Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Marites Maristela said the expanded program is more inclusive because it now connects with the 4Ps database, unlike before when the process was manual.

As of Feb.12, about 36,000 of the 320,000 beneficiaries nationwide are from Western Visayas.

“All qualified 4Ps beneficiaries included in the DSWD certified list are automatically registered, subject to data matching of their respective distribution utilities,” she said.

Western Visayas has 149,896 4Ps members who automatically qualify for the program.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in her message, encouraged the beneficiaries to be mindful of their consumption so they will continue to enjoy the benefit.

“If you are energy-efficient, you conserve electricity, then you have PHP500 as a gift for yourself,” she said, taking into account that the rate of electricity is PHP10 per kwh.

She said the 50-kWh limit can already be used to run an electric fan, a television, and a gadget charger. These, however, should be unplugged when not in use to avoid “phantom load.”

In a follow-up interview, Garin said they will talk to the distribution utility to educate their consumers about energy consumption.

“Right now, unfortunately, there is no technology that will allow you to do that,” she said.

The launch was joined by top officials of the DOE family, DSWD, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Iloilo City officials, and More Electric Power Corp. representatives. (PNA)