Activist Priest Urges Marcos to Scrap System Loss Charges

An activist priest in Quezon province has strongly urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stand firm on his promise to remove the controversial system loss charges from electricity bills, resisting pressure from power industry players who oppose the proposal. "Millions of Filipinos bear the burden of exorbitant electricity costs every day. The government should understand the suffering of the people and end this unjust burden," the priest stated. System loss charges are fees that power companies collect from consumers, ostensibly to cover electricity losses incurred during transmission and distribution. In the Philippines, there has been persistent criticism that these charges, coupled with alleged lax management by power companies, contribute to increased burdens on consumers. President Marcos Jr. included the abolition of these system loss charges as one of his campaign promises. However, no concrete progress has been made since the administration took office. The power industry has expressed concerns about potential revenue losses if the charges are abolished, drawing attention to the government's decision-making process. Electricity rates in the Philippines are considered high compared to other Southeast Asian countries. These high costs have a significant impact on people's lives, posing a serious problem particularly for low-income households. The priest's appeal is expected to further amplify public opinion towards alleviating the electricity cost burden on citizens. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo