The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said Wednesday it is thoroughly studying a proposal to implement a moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections in areas under a state of calamity due to Typhoon Kristine.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier asked the ERC to study a moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections in areas under a state of calamity.
The ERC said it held meetings to discuss a possible moratorium on disconnections and payment collection from typhoon-hit communities.
“The commission, recognizing the urgency of the President’s directive, is currently developing measures that would allow for staggered payment options for electricity bills to help alleviate the financial burden on our kababayans as they recover from the impact of Typhoon Kristine,” the ERC said in a statement.
ERC officer-in-charge chairperson and chief executive Jesse Hermogenes Andres appealed to distribution utilities (DUs) to take similar measures to ease the burden of electricity costs in severely affected areas by allowing staggered collection of payments from October to December 2024.
“In consideration of the coming holiday season, DUs should observe a moratorium on the disconnection of electricity service of distressed consumers,” the energy regulator said.
“In the meantime, the ERC calls on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines [NGCP], privately-owned DUs and electric cooperatives [ECs] in areas affected by Typhoon Kristine to assess the damage and fast track the restoration of electricity in typhoon-hit areas,” it said.
The suspension could cover October to December 2024 and include flexible payment options to ease the financial burden on affected communities and support their recovery efforts.
