5% discount on seniors electric bills starts today

CEBU, Philippines - The five percent discount on the electric bills of senior citizens will be implemented by the Visayas Electric Company starting today.

VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said the discount will take effect today for those qualified elderly who have already applied to avail of the discount provided for under the Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.”

Natera however said that as of yesterday they have only received 300 applications for residential senior citizens.

She said VECO continues to receive applications for discount at its SM City Cebu full service center. To avail of the discount under Section 4 (c)] of the R.A. 9994, the meter should be registered in the name of the senior citizen for at least one year, the senior citizen must be residing in the household, the monthly consumption should not exceed 100kwh.

Qualified seniors must submit documents such as proof of age, residence and proof of billing. The application is renewable every year.

Aside from the five percent discount, senior citizens are also entitled to a lifeline subsidy granted by the government to minimum electric consumers. 

The lifeline subsidy discount applies in the following manner;

For those consuming 0-20 kWh, the discount is 100%; 21-30 kWh (65% discount); 31-40 kWh   (50% discount); 41-50 kWh (40% discount); 51-60 kWh (30% discount); 61-70 kWh (20% discount); 71-80 kWh (15% discount); 81-90 kWh (10% discount) and 91-100 kWh (5%). (FREEMAN)