The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has directed all concerned electric power industry stakeholders to implement measures to ease the burden of consumers affected by the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.
In its advisory, the ERC ordered distribution utilities (DUs) in areas placed under a state of calamity due to the typhoon to suspend electricity disconnections for both residential and non-residential customers in their captive markets for non-payment of bills covering the period from November 4 to December 31, 2025.
The ERC also directed DUs in the affected areas to provide flexible payment options to help ease the financial burden of consumers recovering from the disaster.
It said DUs must implement a payment scheme allowing customers with monthly consumption not exceeding 100 kWh to defer payment of their bills for the covered period and pay on a staggered basis for at least two months from receipt of the bill.
“The DUs may offer alternative payment terms, provided these are mutually agreed upon by the DU and the affected consumers. Consumers are encouraged to contact their respective DUs to inquire about available payment options or request special terms to settle outstanding bills during the covered period,” the ERC said.
The regulator added that generation companies (GenCos), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), independent power producers (IPPs), independent power producer administrators (IPPAs), and the market operator (MO) must extend the same payment scheme to DUs.
DUs must segregate payments received from affected consumers to determine the amounts due to GenCos, PSALM, NPC, TransCo, NGCP, IPPAs, and the MO, which shall also be paid on a staggered basis for at least two months.
The ERC urged consumers who are financially capable to continue paying their electric bills on time.
