ERC: Power distributors that did not suspend universal charge, FIT-All collection to face sanctions

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Tuesday said some distribution utilities were reported to have violated its order to suspend the collection of universal charge and feed-in-tariff allowance charge in light of the imposition of lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May, the ERC issued an advisory suspending “until further notice” the collection of the Universal Charge-Environmental Charge (UC-EC) equivalent to P0.0025 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

In March, the power industry regulator also suspended the collection of FIT-All charge for one month to provide relief to electricity consumers in light of the lockdown situation. FIT-All charge is the subsidy paid by electricity consumers for the portion of power supply generated from renewable energy sources.

“Tulong na ng pamahalaan ‘yan eh. ‘Yung ibang distribution utilities naningil pa,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

“Itong mga ‘to mga violations ng mga ipinag-uutos ng ERC. Yan ‘yung mga sinulatan namin, pinagpapaliwanag dahil may karampatang administrative sanctions.”

In a separate statement, Senate Committee on Energy chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, citing a report from the ERC, said that at least six distribution utilities have been found to be in violation of the ERC advisories.

These distribution utilities are Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company (OECD); Misamis Oriental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO II); Camarines Sur II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CASURECO II); Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO); Iloilo III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (IIoilo III); and Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC II).

The senator urged the regulatory body to take a proactive role in looking at the compliance of power distributors.

Devanadera, meanwhile, said, “Hindi pwede na sa ganitong panahon hindi ka tatalima sa ipinaguutos. Ito naman ay inuutos ng pamahalaan para sa kapakanan ng mga tao.” —KBK, GMA News