Palawan — The Palawan Sangguniang Panlalawigan voiced strong support for removing system loss charges and value-added tax (VAT) from monthly electric power statements. Spearheaded by the Committee on Energy, provincial board members highlighted that eliminating these additional fees will significantly lighten the financial load carried by member-consumer-owners across island towns. The local legislative body passed an official resolution aligning with national directives to shield residential households from paying for electrical losses during generation, transmission, and distribution. With legislative proposals moving forward in Congress, local consumers stand to gain meaningful savings on their regular utility expenses.
Provincial Board Approves Resolution Supporting Removal Of Unfair Power Charges
Member-consumer-owners throughout Palawan may soon benefit from reduced power bills following a firm push by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to eliminate burdensome monthly add-ons. Board Member Ryan Maminta emphasized that electricity end-users should not shoulder financial expenses tied to system loss incurred by power generation, transmission, and distribution entities. To formalize their position, the provincial council approved a resolution expressing full support for national policy proposals aimed at amending existing energy regulations. The legislative document will be submitted directly to energy committees in the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy. Removing these extra line items protects households from paying for power that they never actually used.
National Legislative Amendments Aim To Lower Monthly Household Electric Expenses
This local legislative action complements recent calls by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to overhaul the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001. Palawan Second District Representative Jose Alvarez, who leads the House Committee on Energy, committed to accelerating deliberations on bills prohibiting distribution utilities from passing system loss costs to consumers. Currently, distribution companies and electric cooperatives are permitted under national law to recover capped losses directly from monthly billing statements. Typical households consuming roughly six thousand pesos in monthly electricity currently pay anywhere between three hundred to five hundred pesos solely in system loss fees. Excluding value-added tax alongside system loss charges will immediately trim unnecessary expenses from regular family budgets.
Local Cooperative Encouraged To Improve Distribution Operations and Reduce Losses
While the Palawan Electric Cooperative operates as a non-profit entity, local leaders urged the utility to actively address technical and operational inefficiencies. Maintaining distribution lines and conducting rigorous anti-pilferage campaigns play a vital role in keeping actual system losses well below approved regulatory caps. Board members noted that Palawan maintains an approved system loss limit below nine percent across its distribution network. Ensuring that electric utilities absorb operational losses encourages companies to modernize infrastructure and maintain higher operational standards. Eliminating these extra charges provides direct financial relief while promoting greater accountability across the power sector.
