ERC to other power distributors: Explain violations or face sanctions

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Saturday said it has ordered several power distribution utilities to explain why the industry regulator should not impose sanctions against them for allegedly violating its advisories.

During the Laging Handa public briefing, ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes Devanadera said the agency has received loads of complaints against power distributors, apart from Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and found they have violations.

“Nag-review kami ng mga report at nakita natin na maraming lumabag. Iyong ibang paglabag nila, kasi sabi natin huwag nang singilin ‘yong ‘FIT-All;’ huwag nang singilin iyong universal charge/environmental charge pero naningil pa rin sila,” Devanadera said.

“Iyon, mga paglabag ‘yon. So, ang ginawa ng ERC sinulatan itong mga ito at pinagpapaliwanag natin,” she said.

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 charges 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.

“Hindi ko masasai kung magkano ang ating magiging multa dahil nagaantay pa tayo ng kasagutan sa ating order na sila ay magpaliwanag kung bakit sa ating initial evaluation ay may paglabag na sila sa ating advisories,” Devanadera said.

The ERC chair’s remark came on the heels of its P19-million fine against Meralco for alleged “failure to clearly indicate that the bills were estimated” and “failure to comply with the mandated installment payment arrangement.”

In an earlier press 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 on suspending the collection of FIT-All and universal charges.

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). -MDM, GMA News