Metro Manila, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced it is extending its nationwide “no disconnection policy” to small consumers until the end of the year.
The suspension will benefit households with unpaid electricity bills whose monthly consumption is 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or less.
On Monday, Oct. 5, ERC Commissioner Francis Saturnino Juan told reporters that the temporary pause on electric service disconnection will be extended for another two months to ease the financial burden on small consumers. The moratorium would expire on Oct. 31.
Juan said the ERC limited the policy coverage in light of requests from electric utilities and cooperatives, saying that the vast coverage, including those consuming above the 200 kWh threshold, has affected their capacity to pay power generation companies and the grid operator on time.
The regulator said it remains committed to protecting vulnerable consumers amid rising electricity costs.
