The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) asked distribution utilities (DUs) in areas declared under state of calamity to implement a staggered payment scheme for consumers whose monthly consumption do not exceed 200 kilowatt-hours for at least six months.
The ERC said the DUs should provide flexible payment options for consumers’ bills covering October to December to help ease their financial burden as they work toward recovery from the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
It said this is in compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to study the implementation of a moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections in response to the widespread devastation wrought by STS Kristine.
The ERC also directed DUs in areas placed under state of calamity to also suspend electricity line disconnections of residential and non-residential consumers in the captive market with a monthly electricity consumption not exceeding 200 kWh, for non-payment of electricity bills.
It said that DUs may offer alternative payment terms that are mutually agreeable to both the DU and the consumers whose consumption exceed 200 kWh.
“Consumers are encouraged to contact their respective DUs to inquire about the available alternative payment options or to request special terms to settle outstanding bills,” it said.
The ERC said power generators, state-run agencies such as Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), National Power Corp. (NPC) and the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo), grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), independent power producers (IPPs), independent power producer administrators (IPPAs) and the market operator (MO) should extend the same payment scheme to the affected DUs.
“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, NPC, TRANSCO, NGCP, IPPs, IPPAs and MO. Availment of prompt payment discount [PPD] will still be in accordance with the parties’ approved supply contract,” it said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier placed 158 areas under state of calamity due to STS Kristine. The Bicol region had the most cities and municipalities placed under state of calamity at 78. Calabazon is next with 68 cities and municipalities.
