Marcos wants electricity system loss charges scrapped
This report is part of Inquirer’s Sona 2026 coverage. Follow our live page for real-time updates.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called for the removal of electricity system loss charges passed on to consumers as he delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday at the Batasang Pambansa.
READ: Sona 2026: Marcos syas cases vs Romualsedz to proceed
Marcos said it was about time to stop making households shoulder costs stemming from inefficiencies in the power distribution system.
System loss is the difference between the power delivered to a distribution system and the actual electricity billed to consumers, driven by technical inefficiencies and electricity theft.
“It’s time to stop passing the burden of systems loss to consumers. This is being passed on to consumers and even imposed a value-added tax. Systems loss is not the consumers’ fault,” he said in Filipino.
“Therefore, we, their people, request — no, we demand the immediate amendment of the Epira [Electric Power Industry Reform Act] and to prohibit charging systems loss against consumers, including the value-added tax thereon,” Marcos said.
Epira, also known as Republic Act No. 9136, is a landmark 2001 law that privatized and restructured the Philippine power sector into four main segments: generation, transmission, distribution, and supply.
Under this, distribution utilities are allowed to charge a portion of systems loss from consumers through a systems loss charge reflected in monthly electricity bills.
“Sariling Kuryente” Act
“To make the installation of solar panels and battery storage systems in homes simpler, easier, and more affordable, I am asking Congress to pass the ‘Sariling Kuryente’ (Own Electricity) Act,” he said.
The proposed measure seeks to streamline processes and permit requirements for adopting solar energy. /dp/gsg/atm
