REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Antique Breaks New Ground With First Ever P500 Power Bill Subsidy
Photos courtesy of the Office of Gov. Paolo Javier
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Households across Antique are set to enjoy lighter electricity bills after Governor Paolo Javier officially launched the country’s first provincial power bill subsidy program, providing up to ₱500 in monthly relief for residential consumers.
The initiative, called the Provincial Electric Power Subsidy (PEPS), began this August and will run through December 2025. It makes Antique the first province in the Philippines to implement a direct electricity bill assistance program, offering a much-needed cushion to families grappling with the steady rise of power costs.
“This is our commitment to put money back in the pockets of ordinary Antiqueños who are dealing every day with the rising electricity costs,” Governor Javier said at the program’s rollout.
Under PEPS, all active residential consumers listed in the verified masterlists of Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO) and Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) as of June 2025 automatically receive the ₱500 deduction. No applications or paperwork are required—eligible households simply see the subsidy reflected on their monthly statements under the line item “PEP Subsidy.”
The program is fully funded by Antique’s share of the National Wealth Fund through Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-418, passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and signed by Governor Javier on August 1.
For households whose bills exceed ₱500, the subsidy covers the first ₱500, while families with smaller bills pay nothing at all. To ensure fairness, only one meter per account holder is subsidized, but households with multiple family members under separate accounts can each qualify.
The scope of the program is designed to extend beyond immediate relief. New electricity connections and reconnections processed from July to December 2025 will begin receiving subsidies in January 2026, while those enrolled between January and June 2026 will be covered starting July 2026.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional consumers—including schools, municipal halls, and churches—are not included, with the program focused exclusively on households. Consumers with disconnected accounts due to unpaid bills or violations under Republic Act 7832 are also excluded.
Governor Javier emphasized that the subsidy reflects a proactive approach to governance: “We are using our province’s rightful share of national resources to directly benefit our people—this is what responsive governance looks like.”
By pioneering this approach, Antique positions itself as a model for other provinces seeking innovative, practical ways to ease the economic burdens of their residents. The governor believes the PEPS program shows how local governments can turn available resources into concrete solutions.
“This program demonstrates that when we prioritize our people’s welfare, we can find creative solutions using available resources,” Javier said.
For Antiqueños, the message is clear: relief is here, and it’s already reflected in their monthly bills.
The initiative, called the Provincial Electric Power Subsidy (PEPS), began this August and will run through December 2025. It makes Antique the first province in the Philippines to implement a direct electricity bill assistance program, offering a much-needed cushion to families grappling with the steady rise of power costs.
“This is our commitment to put money back in the pockets of ordinary Antiqueños who are dealing every day with the rising electricity costs,” Governor Javier said at the program’s rollout.
Under PEPS, all active residential consumers listed in the verified masterlists of Antique Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANTECO) and Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) as of June 2025 automatically receive the ₱500 deduction. No applications or paperwork are required—eligible households simply see the subsidy reflected on their monthly statements under the line item “PEP Subsidy.”
The program is fully funded by Antique’s share of the National Wealth Fund through Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-418, passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and signed by Governor Javier on August 1.
For households whose bills exceed ₱500, the subsidy covers the first ₱500, while families with smaller bills pay nothing at all. To ensure fairness, only one meter per account holder is subsidized, but households with multiple family members under separate accounts can each qualify.
The scope of the program is designed to extend beyond immediate relief. New electricity connections and reconnections processed from July to December 2025 will begin receiving subsidies in January 2026, while those enrolled between January and June 2026 will be covered starting July 2026.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional consumers—including schools, municipal halls, and churches—are not included, with the program focused exclusively on households. Consumers with disconnected accounts due to unpaid bills or violations under Republic Act 7832 are also excluded.
Governor Javier emphasized that the subsidy reflects a proactive approach to governance: “We are using our province’s rightful share of national resources to directly benefit our people—this is what responsive governance looks like.”
By pioneering this approach, Antique positions itself as a model for other provinces seeking innovative, practical ways to ease the economic burdens of their residents. The governor believes the PEPS program shows how local governments can turn available resources into concrete solutions.
“This program demonstrates that when we prioritize our people’s welfare, we can find creative solutions using available resources,” Javier said.
For Antiqueños, the message is clear: relief is here, and it’s already reflected in their monthly bills.
Aug 22, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
