Politics · Philippines Bureau
Gomez seeks to shield consumers from utility system losses
A Leyte congressman has filed legislation aimed at preventing power consumers from bearing the financial burden of electricity theft, illegal connections, and distribution utility inefficiencies. House Bill 11675 proposes to cap system-loss charges as Filipinos grapple with rising electricity costs.
LSN Philippines ·
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Representative Richard Gomez has filed a measure designed to protect consumers from shouldering costs associated with power distribution losses, addressing growing concerns over escalating electricity bills nationwide.
House Bill 11675, filed October 12, proposes to limit the system-loss charges that distribution utilities currently pass on to consumers. The bill would prevent households and businesses from paying for power losses stemming from electricity theft, illegal connections, faulty meters, and operational inefficiencies within the utility networks.
The measure comes as Filipino consumers continue to face mounting pressure from rising power costs. By capping permissible system-loss charges, the proposed legislation aims to shift greater responsibility onto distribution utilities to improve their operational efficiency and combat theft and illegal tapping of electrical lines.
The bill represents an effort to ensure that consumers pay only for electricity they actually use, rather than subsidizing losses incurred through network problems and unlawful activities. Should it advance in Congress, the measure could reshape how distribution utilities operate and manage their systems across the country.