Marcos urges EPIRA overhaul to scrap system loss charges

July 27, 2026

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Congress to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act during his fifth State of the Nation Address, proposing to end charges for system losses passed on to electricity consumers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered the proposal at the Batasang Pambansa in Manila. He said consumers should not pay for electricity lost during transmission and distribution.

“We, the people, request—no, we demand the immediate amendment of EPIRA and to prohibit the charging of system loss against consumers, including the value-added tax (VAT) thereon,” Marcos said, drawing applause from lawmakers.

Marcos also urged passage of the Sariling Kuryente Act to ease installation of rooftop solar panels. The Department of Energy supported the EPIRA changes while stressing the need to keep the power sector financially stable.

The 2001 law currently allows distribution utilities to recover system losses from customers through their bills.

ሰዎች ምን እያሉ ነው

Initial X reactions to Marcos' SONA call for EPIRA overhaul to scrap system loss charges show strong applause in the session and support from officials like DOE and ERC. Some users express skepticism that costs may shift elsewhere, while others highlight consumer relief and rare bipartisan applause including from Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Business impacts on firms like Meralco are noted neutrally.

MARCOS: STOP CHARGING SYSTEMS LOSS TO CONSUMERS

WATCH: President Marcos says system loss charges should no longer be passed on to consumers, drawing prolonged applause from lawmakers and guests at the Batasang Pambansa during his #SONA2026.

“We, the people, request—no, we… pic.twitter.com/CiPzibYFqd

— NewsWatch Plus PH (@newswatchplusph) 27 ጁላይ 2026

We demand the immediate amendment of 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔 to prohibit charging 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨 against consumers, including the 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚-𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙭 thereon.

Hindi naman kasalanan ng consumer kung bakit nagkaroon ng system loss, kaya hindi naman tama na kailangan sila pa ang… pic.twitter.com/vMRwAhfXLO

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) 27 ጁላይ 2026

POSISYON NG ERC

Inilahad ni Energy Regulatory Commission chair and CEO Saturnino Juan ang kanilang posisyon sa panawagan ni Pres. Bongbong Marcos na alisin ang system loss. pic.twitter.com/S9smbcyr1s

— News5 (@News5PH) 28 ጁላይ 2026

For the first time, pumalakpak at tumayo si Sen. Risa sa SONA ni Marcos – dahil sa panawagang amyendahan ang EPIRA law, ang nagpapabigat sa bayad sa kuryente ng bawat Pilipino. pic.twitter.com/kr5PcdOPHH

— 🏛 ᜀ ᜃᜓ ᜐᜒ ᜇ᜔ᜌᜓᜈ᜔ 🏛 (@iam_jniest) 27 ጁላይ 2026

JUST IN: Meralco said it is willing to take part in discussions on proposed amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for the removal of system loss charges in power bills. | @bworldph

— Sheldeen Talavera (@sjtalavera) 27 ጁላይ 2026

ምንጮች

• https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/751392/marcos-pushes-epira-overhaul-to-cut-power-costs
• https://www.rappler.com/business/explainer-what-system-loss-affect-power-bill/
• https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/07/28/2545308/bill-shock-marcos-wants-systems-loss-charge-vat-scrapped