ERC halts power disconnections in typhoon-hit areas, orders staggered payments
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered all distribution utilities (DUs) in areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine to temporarily halt electricity line disconnections.
In a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the ERC has implemented recovery measures for the typhoon-hit areas, in compliance with the recent directive from President Ferdinand Marcos.
This instructed DUs under the State of Calamity due to “Kristine” to suspend disconnections for residential and non-residential customers whose consumption does not exceed 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh) and should last until December.
Additionally, they are required to provide flexible payment options to lessen the hassle and financial burden on consumers. This includes a staggered basis payment scheme for those whose monthly consumption is below 200 kWh.
“[They] shall be allowed to pay these monthly bills on a staggered basis for a period of at least six months from issuance of the Statement of Account for each bill,” the ERC stated.
These consumers are also entitled to have alternative payment terms in order to properly settle any outstanding bills on their mutually-agreed upon terms.
Moreover, this payment scheme should also be applied to the generators, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), the National Power Corporation (NPC), the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Independent Power Producer Administrators (IPPAs) and the Market Operator (MO).
“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, NPC, TRANSCO, NGCP, IPPs, IPPAs and MO. Availment of Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) will still be in accordance with the parties’ approved supply contract,” the ERC added.