THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said distribution utilities (DUs), electric cooperatives and power generators which fail to comply with its directives meant to protect consumers amid the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic will be fined.
The ERC has received numerous complaints of alleged high billings by DUs during the enhanced community quarantine.
Agnes Devanadera, ERC chairperson and chief executive officer, issued the warning to the Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association and the National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperative in a letter dated May 22, 2020.
“DUs that will be found and proven to have breached our directives during the national emergency and deviated from the intent of the President to alleviate the financial difficulties of the Filipino people during the crisis will be penalized through the imposition of appropriate fines pursuant to relevant rules and laws,” Denadera said in a statement.
The ERC has issued advisories to all DUs to provide a longer grace period and implement staggered payment of electricity bills during the ECQ.
Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) sought the help of the ERC and the Department of Energy for what they claimed as exorbitant charges during the lockdown that started March.
To erase doubts on the accuracy of its billing, Meralco said it will issue new billing statements with a more detailed breakdown of consumption.
Meanwhile, Infrawatch PH has urged Meralco and other DUs to immediately issue new electric bills reflecting the approved staggered payment scheme.
“The ERC advisory should put to rest all concerns on bill shock and overcharging as this affords consumers an adequate period of time to settle electricity actually consumed by households during the quarantine. This should also allow distribution utilities sufficient time to confirm actual usage against estimates of power consumption,” Infrawatch PH said.
The group welcomed the suggestion of Meralco to install smart meters to avoid bill shocks in the future but feared the cost will eventually be shouldered by consumers.
