Manila: Antique±os lauded the pronouncement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to remove the system loss charges from monthly electricity bills, which are being passed to consumers.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos, in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), directed the immediate amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and prohibited the charging of the system loss and the accompanying value-added tax.

Board member Karmilla Rose Dimamay expressed that it is a welcome development since the system loss is due to the inefficiency of the power provider or distributor. She mentioned that consumers should only pay for the power consumed and not the additional charges. Dimamay pays a considerable amount of PHP467 for her two monthly electricity bills.

Retired government employee Susan Luces highlighted how she could save the money being charged on her monthly electric bill and use it for her other needs, such as food and medicines. She appreciated that President Marcos made it a priority in his SONA.

Likewise, Margie Mijares, a housekeeper, shared that instead of paying for the system loss, she could buy food for her children, underscoring the positive impact of the change on her household budget.