Power distributors urged to allow staggered payments

MANILA, Philippines —  The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is urging distribution utilities (DUs) to allow the staggered collection of payments for power bills from October to December to provide temporary relief to typhoon victims.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ERC also ordered DUs to observe a moratorium on the disconnection of electricity service for consumers in areas placed under a state of calamity.

“In the meantime, the ERC calls on the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, privately owned DUs and electric cooperatives (ECs) in areas affected by STS (Severe Tropical Storm) Kristine to assess the damage and fast-track the restoration of electricity in typhoon-hit areas,” it said.

This followed the recent directive of President Marcos to study the immediate implementation of the moratorium and the issuance of a flexible payment scheme to aid in recovery efforts.

Consumer group National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore) welcomed this initiative by the government.

“(It is) a very wise move by (President Marcos) in light of the sad plight of those adversely affected by the tropical storm,” Nasecore president Pete Ilagan said in a Viber message to The STAR.

While supporting this initiative, Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon told The STAR that the government must also assist energy utility providers affected by the storm.

“The President should also determine how to help (DUs) and (ECs) that had their facilities destroyed or damaged by Kristine as well, as flexible payment mechanisms for customers will certainly affect their month-to-month cash flow projections,” Ridon said.

Last week, Kristine brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country and left some areas submerged in floodwaters, with the Bicol Region sustaining the most damage.