The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) has formally endorsed a slate of legislative proposed House measures to the Power Bloc representatives, Hon. Presley C. de Jesus of PhilRECA Party-list and Hon. Sergio C. Dagooc of APEC Party-list, for filing and sponsorship in the upcoming 20th Congress.

 

Through PHILRECA Board Resolution No. 05-38-25, the Association underscored the urgency of the following proposals to strengthen the legal and institutional foundations of the electric cooperative sector, protect consumer interests, and promote inclusive rural development.

 

Among the bills endorsed by PHILRECA are the call for establishment of ECs’ categorization and classification under the Local Government Code to resolve tax issues, creation of a National Charter for Electric Cooperatives that consolidates their legal identity and safeguards their granted franchises against hostile takeovers.

 

The Association, in its long-standing advocacy of pushing for low power rates, also urges lawmakers and seeks sponsorship from Power Bloc to act swiftly on the call for reform over value-added tax removal on electric bills, ensuring consumers’ right to fair and affordable electricity.

 

Other proposed House measures of PHILRECA are amendments to strengthen the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Law, establishment of Green Electrification Incentive Program (GEIP), and a resolution calling the Department of Energy to review the implementation of the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) for the improvement of renewable energy processing.

 

Also lined-up for prioritization is the refiling of EC franchise application bills, aiming to guarantee the continuous delivery of electric services in rural and underserved areas of near-expiring ECs.

 

PHILRECA expressed full confidence that the Power Bloc will once again champion these measures in Congress as part of their steadfast commitment to the welfare of ECs and their millions of households they serve across the country.

 

Representing the collective voice of its member-ECs, PHILRECA reaffirmed its support and active collaboration with policy-makers to put forward these reforms showing that the robust EC sector is essential in achieving total rural electrification and equitable economic, collective growth of the Filipino people.