Iloilo power consumers to avail of ‘Katas ng VAT’ program

ILOILO CITY, Philippines -More than 15,000 electric concessionaires in the city who consume less than 100 kilowatt-hours per month will avail of the Katas ng VAT national anti-poverty program of the government starting September 2008.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said that Panay Electric Company Inc. (Peco) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have already signed a memorandum of agreement on the over P7 million subsidy to electric consumers.

Treñas said that P500 will be deducted from the consumer's monthly bill.

The amount is taken from the value added tax imposed by the national government on industries, products, and business transactions.

DSWD will soon award the amount to Peco, which will in turn deduct it from the consumer's electric bill that is less than 100kwh every month until the amount is depleted.

DSWD also made similar arrangements with electric cooperatives in Panay Island and throughout the country including other private electric establishments. – Sun.Star Iloilo