Marcos uses SONA to demand end to electricity systems loss fees

· philstar

MANILA, Philippines —  In his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to stop systems loss charges, including value-added tax, from being passed on to consumers.

“Hindi naman kasalanan ng consumer na nagkaroon ng systems loss. Kaya hindi naman tama na sila pa ang pagbabayarin dito,” Marcos said Monday, July 26, addressing the two chambers of Congress and a room of officials and diplomats.

(“It is not the consumer’s fault that systems loss happened. So it is not right that they are the ones made to pay for it.”)

The call comes as Filipino households shoulder some of Southeast Asia’s highest electricity costs.

The line drew the loudest response of his address so far, with prolonged applause and some audience members rising from their seats. — with Cristina Chi, Martin Ramos

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