ERC to act on customer complaints vs Iloilo cooperative

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has vowed to act on customer complaints against Iloilo’s utility firm Panay Electric Co. (PECO), which is seeking to renew its franchise and refund customers about  P34 million in overpayments.

ERC chairperson and CEO Agnes Devanadera said the power regulator focuses on matters that affect the consumers, including 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.

As for the complaints against PECO, Devanadera said they “have addressed the complaints.”

From 2017, the ERC has received complaints mostly on over and or improper billing and poor customer service, ERC spokesperson Floresinda Digal said.

“ERC conducted conferences in Iloilo last April 18-19 for the 96 complaints filed. On the spot testing and inspections of complainants, meters were performed last June 19-22. The remaining complaints were first referred to PECO for comments,” she said.

PECO is in the process of completing a P631.33 million refund to its customers since 2009. So far, it has P34 million remaining to give back to its customers.

The refund was ordered by ERC in December 2009, when it directed Panay Power Corp. to refund the fuel charges higher than the National Power Corp. (Napocor) rate charged to PECO, to which the power distributor passed on to its consumers.

In the 1990s, PECO said power suppliers were mandated to either be cheaper or have the same price of Napocor then. However, fuel prices soared in 2000, making it difficult for the power distributor to match the subsidized rates of Napocor at that time.

“The amount to be refunded is now down to P34 million to date and should be fully refunded by the second quarter of 2019,” PECO said.

“PECO sees to it that it always follows the rules and guidelines of the ERC to be a top electric distribution utility in the country. This is evident as seen in its strong partnership in the growth of Iloilo City in recent years,” it said.