House panel OKs bill vs system loss charge

The House Committee on Energy on Monday approved a substitute bill seeking to eliminate system loss charges from consumer electric bills.

Consolidating 43 House bills and two resolutions, the measure aims to address non-technical energy loss costs in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call during his latest State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Among the consolidated proposals is House Bill No. 10430, co-authored by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.

The House leaders emphasized that the measure seeks to “provide meaningful relief to Filipino consumers by eliminating a charge that should properly be borne by the entities responsible for managing and operating the distribution network.”


Critiquing the existing practice, Cagayan de Oro First District Rep. Lordan Suan noted that “it is unjust to pay for electricity you do not consume.”

Following discussions by the technical working group, panel chairperson and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez formally said that the motion to approve the Systems Loss bill was duly seconded.

“There is a motion to approve the Systems Loss bill as crafted by the technical working group, by this committee. And duly seconded. Any objection? The motion is approved,” Alvarez said.

In a parallel move, the committee also passed the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act to promote household power generation and storage systems.

The measure aims to streamline regulatory requirements for noncommercial solar and energy storage installations to help households lower their monthly electricity expenses and reduce dependence on the national power grid.

Proponents pointed out that removing unnecessary restrictions will encourage investments that directly benefit households and the broader economy.

Both substitute bills are set to amend Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, once enacted into law.