Metro Manila, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) emphasized that its extended nationwide “no disconnection” policy is strictly limited to small consumers with monthly consumption not exceeding 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
In an advisory on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the ERC affirmed the extension of its consumer protection measures pursuant to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency in March. This includes the “no disconnection” policy for vulnerable electricity consumers.
For the new covered billing period, from November to December, the ERC reminded all distribution utilities in the country to suspend electricity service disconnections for residential consumers with monthly consumption not exceeding 200 kWh for non-payment of their electricity bills in the specified period.
The energy regulator stressed that the extended policy does not cover consumers exceeding the 200 kWh threshold, as well as non-residential consumers, regardless of consumption.
“They are urged to pay their electricity bills during these New Covered Billing Period on or before their due dates to avoid any disconnection,” the ERC said.
Small consumers covered by the policy are required to pay on or before Nov. 26 all their unpaid regular bills and, if any, unpaid installment payments due under availed flexible payment arrangements for the billing period of May to July.
Failure to pay “shall disqualify them from the suspension of disconnection for the New Covered Billing Period, and the [distribution utilities] may disconnect their electricity for non-payment thereof, upon prior written notice,” the ERC noted.
The ERC also directed distribution utilities to implement staggered or deferred payment options for covered consumers for the Nov-Dec. Billing Period for at least three months from receipt of the electricity bill.
It added that while flexible payment options will be implemented, consumers covered by the policy able to pay their electric bills in full are encouraged to pay on time.
