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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian urges ERC to stagger electricity rate hikes to cushion impact on consumers

Gatchalian urges ERC to stagger electricity rate hikes to cushion impact on consumers

Published Mar 13, 2026 12:57 pm  |  Updated Mar 13, 2026 01:01 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any increase in power rates would be implemented on a staggered basis in light of the tensions happening in the Middle East.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any increase in power rates would be implemented on a staggered basis in light of the tensions happening in the Middle East.

Gatchalian said doing so would protect consumers from sudden financial distress especailly after it announced “the full impact” of the Middle East conflict on electricity bills that would be felt by consumers especially during this year’s summer season.

“The electricity sector is a regulated industry, and the ERC should not allow one-time, big-time increases in electricity rates. Now is the worst time to increase electricity costs,” said Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy.

The senator emphasized the need for the ERC to closely monitor electricity rates and prohibit one-time, large increases.

He said spreading any increase in electricity rates into several billing cycles would help cushion the impact for consumers.

As such, the ERC should remain vigilant in ensuring no unwarranted increase in electricity rates is implemented and added to the daily financial strain of ordinary consumers.

“It's the job of the ERC to help ease the burden on our people,” he reiterated.

Nevertheless, Gatchalian said the government can intervene in electricity pricing in case of shortage of supply.

This, even though government intervention in electricity pricing has been clipped under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian electricity cost EPIRA law
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