President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced Saturday that the government has simplified the process for low-income households to receive electricity subsidies and reduced processing time for applications under the Net-Metering Program.

Speaking at the “Collective Response to Presidential Commitments in the Energy Sector” held at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas, Pasig, Marcos said the administration has coordinated with distribution utilities to automatically enroll beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) into the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program (LRSP).

As of November 2025, around 334,000 consumers are registered under the LRSP, representing about 11 percent of the estimated three million 4Ps beneficiaries nationwide.

“Ngayong buwan, ipatutupad natin, kasama ng distribution utilities o DU, ang automatic registration ng lahat ng benepisyaryo ng 4Ps sa ilalim ng LRSP,” the President said.

Under the revised guidelines, 4Ps beneficiaries with monthly electricity consumption of 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less will receive a 100 percent discount.

Low-income households not covered by 4Ps but falling below the poverty threshold and with minimal electricity consumption may also apply for the subsidy.

Marcos said the LRSP had long been underutilized due to complicated requirements.

The President also announced reforms to the Net-Metering Program, which allows households and businesses to install renewable energy systems such as solar panels and sell excess electricity back to the grid.

He said the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed a Joint Memorandum Circular directing local government units to adopt standardized application forms and comply with a mandated turnaround time.

In addition, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered distribution utilities to complete the interconnection process within 20 working days from acceptance of a letter of interest.

Marcos acknowledged the role of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) in supporting renewable energy initiatives, including large-scale solar projects and the implementation of net-metering and lifeline rate programs.