ERC orders suspension of power disconnection in calamity areas

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has directed power distribution utilities to suspend disconnection of consumers with unpaid bills in calamity areas in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In an advisory on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the ERC said the suspension of line disconnection covers October to December bills with consumption of 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and below.

It added that power distributors must provide flexible payment options, including allowing payment on a staggered basis for at least six months from the statement of account for each bill.

ERC advised consumers using above 200 kWh to contact their distributors for other payment options.

"The generators, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), the National Power Corp. (NPC), the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo), the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), independent power producers (IPPs), independent power producer administrators (IPPAs), and the market operator (MO) shall extend the same payment scheme to the affected distribution utilities only insofar as the latter's collections from the affected consumers," the ERC said.

"Thus, the concerned distribution utilities shall segregate payments from the affected consumers to determine the amounts to be paid on a similar staggered basis to their respective generators, PSALM, NPA, TransCo, NGCP, IPPs, IPPAs, and MO," the commission said.

It said the prompt payment discount will still be in line with the supply contract.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier asked the ERC to study a possible temporary moratorium on the payment of electric bills or a staggered payment amid back-to-back typhoons.

Over 200 areas are under a state of calamity in the aftermath of "Kristine."