In its letter dated 22 May 2020, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) warned the Distribution Utilities (DUs) through its associations, the Philippine Electric Plant Owners Association, Inc. (PEPOA), Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA), and the National Association of General Managers of Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NAGMEC), that their non-compliance with the directives contained in the series of Advisories it issued will be dealt with accordingly.
“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”, said ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera.
The ERC issued on various dates a series of advisories to all DUs during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period. It has continuously kept an eye on the activities in the electric power industry and introduced some mitigating initiatives, such as the directive to provide a longer grace period and staggering of electricity bill payment, to help alleviate the plight of the electricity consumers nationwide that has been adversely affected by the quarantine measures of the government.
“We are noting down and keeping records of all the complaints that we have received against DUs’ alleged high billings during the ECQ, and we are sternly warning them that we will not have second thoughts to penalize those DUs who have been remiss or defiant of our orders”, Chair Devanadera concluded.
