SEC 1. Section 73 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the "Electric Power Industry Reforn Act of 2001", is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 73. Lifeline Rate. — A socialized pricing mechanism called a lifeline rate for the marginalized end-users shall be set by the ERC, which shall be exempted from the cross subsidy phase-out under this Act for a period of twenty (20) years, unless otherwise extended by law. The level of consumption and the rate shall be determined by the ERC after due notice and hearing."