Manila, July 14 -- The Antique provincial board approved on first reading Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 3 amounting to PHP1.8 billion for the provincial electric power subsidy (PEPS) during its first regular session on Monday.

"The SAIP No. 3 has been approved unanimously by the provincial board in support of the request of Governor Paolo Everardo Javier," Board Member Karmila Rose Dimamay, chair of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, said in an interview.

The PHP1.8 billion is intended for the PHP500 per month subsidy of 169,786 registered residential electricity consumers for the next 17 months.

Dimamay said they invited the Provincial Development Officer and general managers of the Antique Electric Coope...