Philippines President Marcos vows to cut electricity system loss charges

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during his State of the Nation Address that system loss charges would be removed from Filipino electricity bills, a pledge that earned a standing ovation. However, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said that eliminating the charge requires congressional amendment of the EPIRA law, leaving uncertainty over who will absorb the underlying cost.

Consumer watchdog and think‑tank CONSUMA PH, represented by former party‑list representative Nathan Oducado, urged the administration to provide a clear pathway for the promised relief. Oducado warned that without broader reforms, utilities could shift the burden to other fees or reduce investment, and that any policy change must specify how much electricity loss occurs and which party—power plants, the grid, or distribution utilities—should bear the expense.

Meralco shares fell 4.66% after the announcement, reflecting market concern over the unclear financial impact of the proposal.