The Department of Energy issued an advisory directing all distribution utilities to implement the no-disconnection policy on lifeline consumers.
In an advisory dated February 5, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the directive was in line with the DOE’s plans to assist the marginalized electricity consumers.
“All DUs are hereby directed to implement a no disconnection policy due to non-payment of bills falling due by March 2021 for all electricity consumers whose consumption level are within the lifeline rate set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the DU’s franchise area,” Cusi said.
Lifeliners are the low-income captive market end-users who cannot afford to pay at full cost, and are determined based on electricity consumption below a threshold level set by the ERC.
He said the directive would apply to all unpaid regular bills and installment payments relative to various advisories of the DOE and the ERC.