The government willing to discuss with energy stakeholders regarding the proposal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to remove systems loss charges from electric bills.

This came after Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manny Pangilinan on Wednesday expressed his opposition on the President's proposal.

''It's a big deal for the industry because it cuts across generation, transmission and distribution. The bill is too big for the industry to absorb all of it, so there's got to be that discussion,'' he said in a media interview.

Pangilinan added the power generation industry ''may not survive'' if it is forced to absorb systems losses.

Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said '' that is an positive sign'' in a Palace briefing.

The Senate committee on energy began its hearing Thursday, with system loss as the main topic. More hearings and a technical working group meeting are set before a bill will be presented to the Senate plenary for discussion.

Senator Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Committee on Energy, said Marcos himself urged Congress to immediately amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 and stop utility firms from passing the system loss charges to consumers.

"In my opinion, it would be better to remove that (system loss charge) to reduce the burden on our countrymen. This is what the President wants," he said in Filipino.

Tulfo acknowledged the potential repercussions of removing system loss charges but expressed hope that the hearing would lead to proposed measures that would lower electricity prices while still addressing the needs of distribution utilities.

Castro cited Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who said: ''The objective is to lower electricity rates, and I ask for patience and cooperation of all stakeholders while we craft the policies.” PHS