Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy (UNLS) - FAQs

English Version Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy (UNLS)

(Based on ERC Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026)

1. What is the Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy (UNLS)?

The UNLS is a new policy issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to standardize electricity discounts across the Philippines. It aims to provide fair and inclusive access to electricity for marginalized households, in accordance with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), as amended by Republic Acts Nos. 10150 and 11552.

2. Who are covered by this policy?

According to Section 1 of the Resolution, all Distribution Utilities (DUs), including Economic Zone Administrators, are covered. This means the policy applies to all electricity providers and customers nationwide, whether they are in residential areas, commercial districts, or specialized economic zones.

3. When will this take effect?

The policy takes effect starting February 2026. You will see this reflected in your electricity bill beginning the applicable billing period thereafter.

4. How much is the charge for regular customers?

All electricity customers (those not qualified for the lifeline discount) will be charged a rate of Php 0.01 per kWh.

• Example: If your monthly consumption is 200 kWh, the additional charge will be only Php 2.00 (200.00 kWh X  Php0.01 = Php2.00).

• This will appear as a separate line item on your electricity bill for full transparency.

5. Where does the collected money go?

The amounts collected are remitted to the National Lifeline Subsidy Fund. This fund is managed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to ensure that the money is utilized properly and transparently for its intended purpose.

6. Do utilities or ecozone administrators profit from this charge?

No. These charges are strictly treated as pass-through costs. They do not form part of the utilities' revenues and do not impact their operational costs or electricity tariff rates. The utility merely collects the funds and passes them directly to PSALM.

7. Who benefits from this subsidy?

The fund is used to provide discounts (up to 100%) to "Lifeline Consumers." These are marginalized end-users—specifically 4Ps beneficiaries and qualified low-income households—who consume 50 kWh or less per month.

Tagalog Version Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy (UNLS)

(Base sa ERC Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026)

1. Ano ang Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy (UNLS)?

Ito ay ang bagong polisiya ng Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) upang pag-isahin ang diskwento sa kuryente sa buong bansa. Layunin nito na maging patas at inklusibo ang tulong para sa mga pamilyang hirap sa buhay (marginalized customers), alinsunod sa EPIRA Law.

2. Sakop ba nito ang mga nasa Economic Zones?

Opo. Ayon sa Section 1 ng Resolusyon, lahat ng Distribution Utilities (DUs) ay sakop nito, kabilang ang mga Economic Zone Administrators. Ibig sabihin, kahit ang mga negosyo o residente sa loob ng mga ecozones ay kasama sa implementasyon ng UNLS.

3. Kailan ito magsisimula na makikita sa aking bill?

Magsisimula ang implementasyon nito ngayong Pebrero 2026. Makikita mo ang kaukulang charge o diskwento sa iyong electricity bill sa susunod na billing period matapos ang effectivity date na ito.

4. Magkano ang idadagdag sa bill ng mga regular na customer?

Lahat ng electricity customers (yung mga hindi kwalipikado sa lifeline discount) ay sisingilin ng ₱0.01 per kWh.

• Halimbawa: Kung ang konsumo mo ay 200 kWh, ang dagdag sa iyong bill ay ₱2.00 lamang (200 kWh X ₱0.01 = ₱2.00).

• Lalabas ito bilang isang hiwalay na line item sa inyong bill para sa transparency.

5. Saan mapupunta ang koleksyong ito?

Ang pondong makukuha ay itatala bilang National Lifeline Subsidy Fund. Ito ay pamamahalaan ng Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) upang masigurong tama ang paggamit at mapunta talaga sa mga benepisyaryo.

6. Kikita ba ang mga electric company o ecozone administrators dito?

Hindi. Ang mga charges na ito ay itinuturing na pass-through costs. Ibig sabihin, ang perang kinokolekta ng inyong utility provider ay ididiretso sa PSALM at hindi ito magiging bahagi ng kita (revenue) ng kumpanya. Hindi rin ito dapat maging dahilan ng pagtaas ng kanilang operational costs.

7. Sino ang makikinabang sa pondong ito?

Ang mga benepisyaryong pasok sa criteria ng ERC (tulad ng mga 4Ps members at qualified low-income households) na may konsumong 50 kWh o pababa. Sila ay makakatanggap ng hanggang 100% discount sa kanilang kuryente gamit ang pondong ito.