Flexible power bill payments eyed for storm-hit consumers

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera – October 30, 2024 | 8:57 pm
from Business World

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it is looking into proposals to provide relief for consumers in storm-hit areas, including staggered-payment schemes for electricity bills.

The statement issued on Wednesday follows a Presidential directive to avoid disconnections in parts of the country hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In a statement, the ERC said it is “currently developing measures that would allow for staggered payment options for electricity bills” to provide relief for storm survivors.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered the ERC to enforce a moratorium on disconnections for the October-December period, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office on Tuesday.

Mr. Marcos specified measures like “flexible payment options to ease the financial burden on affected communities and support their recovery efforts.”

Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, ERC’s officer-in-charge chairperson and chief executive officer, appealed to distribution utilities (DUs) to take similar measures.

“In consideration of the coming holiday season, DUs should observe a moratorium on the disconnection of electricity service of distressed consumers,” the ERC said.

The regulator also called on the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, privately-owned DUs and electric cooperatives in areas affected by Kristine to assess the damage and fast-track the restoration of electricity.

Kristine brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country, particularly Bicol, leaving some communities flooded.

Asked to comment, Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said such relief measures will be welcomed by power in the storm-hit areas.

“However, the President should also determine how to help distribution utilities and electric cooperatives which had their facilities destroyed or damaged as well, as flexible payment mechanisms for customers will certainly affect their month-to-month cash flow projections,” he said via Viber.