The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) formally ordered power companies to refund the extra charges billed on consumers.
The ERC issued an advisory Thursday to distribution utility and electric cooperatives regarding the imposition of “feed in tariff allowance” on the March and April billing as well as the Universal Charge-Environmental Charge.
The overpayment of consumers brought about by the companies’ estimate reading instead of the actual reading should also be refunded since the electric companies did not implement the initial order of the ERC to indicate that payment may be made in installment basis.
According to the ERC, the customer may request for a cash refund or that the refund amount be deducted from their next billing. The communication facilities of the electric companies must be strengthened to immediately respond to the requests within 48 hours.
The distribution utilities and electric cooperatives are also tasked to submit reports every month regarding overbilling and their response to the refunds before August 15.
The ERC reiterated its reminder that it is prohibited to implement a disconnection of electricity in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine due to non-payment during the said quarantine period until September 2020. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
