ERC deals with Iloilo co-op complaints

By Alena Mae S. Flores – October 5, 2018
form manilastandard.net

The Energy Regulatory Commission is addressing the consumer complaints lodged against Panay Electric Co., the sole electricity utility serving Iloilo City.

A total of 96 complaints have been filed with the ERC against PECO covering the 2017 to 2018, mostly over improper billing and poor customer service.

“We have addressed the complaints and very few are remaining,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said.

Devanadera, however, said the decision to cancel or grant a new franchise to Iloilo City was within the powers of Congress, which has the exclusive jurisdiction to decide on the grant or denial of such franchise.

“ERC’s top concerns are matters that will affect the consumers like the bill deposits which distribution utilities must refund to their consumers. This applies not only to PECO but also to all distribution utilities including electric cooperatives,” she said.

Devanadera said ERC’s main concern was the welfare of consumers and that the service of electricity in Iloilo would continue.