Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday described as a “big win for all power consumers” the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission to halt the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ practice of charging electricity consumers with the 3 percent franchise tax it is supposed to pay the government.
Gatchalian said the practice has unduly burdened consumers for many years now.
“I laud and fully support ERC for upholding consumer welfare in its decision,” he said.
“This is also a reminder for enterprises of the need to play fair and maintain corporate integrity,” the senator said. Macon Ramos-Araneta
Once implemented, he noted that the decision would represent a decline of about P0.0135 to P0.0165 per kilowatt hour based on power rates in the first six months of the year in the Meralco franchise.
This represents savings of P37.32 a year for households with an average consumption of 200 kWh a month.
“I am confident that ERC will continue to thoroughly review industry practices with the goal of ensuring a balance of interests among
stakeholders in the energy sector,” said Gatchalian.
“I will continue to advocate for policies that would ensure the sufficiency and affordability of energy supply and promote the welfare
of our consumers,” he added. Macon Ramos-Araneta