Erwin Tulfo seeks transparency, installment payments for 'bill deposits'

Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Sunday called for greater transparency in the collection of “bill deposits” from electricity consumers and urged power distribution utilities to allow customers to pay these charges in installments.

Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, said that while the collection of bill deposits is allowed by law, consumers are entitled to transparent billing.

“Most of the complaints raised with us are that the ‘other charges’ are higher than the consumption charges, yet consumers do not understand what these other charges consist of,” Tulfo said in a press release.

“With the uncertainty brought by the super El Niño, especially when it comes to the budgets of Filipino families, please be considerate and avoid imposing these additional payments,” he added.

Under the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) pursuant to Republic Act 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, residential customers applying for new or additional electricity service are required to pay a bill deposit equivalent to one month’s estimated bill to guarantee payment.

Tulfo said consumers had raised concerns about bill deposits, which they blamed for the sharp increases in their electricity bills. Some consumers had reported nearly doubling bills, he added.

The senator acknowledged Manila Electric Company’s decision to postpone the collection of bill deposits but stressed the need for transparency in how these charges are reflected in customers’ bills.

He also urged power distribution utilities to let consumers pay the deposits in installments.

“Apart from ensuring transparency, uphold your corporate social responsibility and allow consumers to pay in tranches,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo cited the ERC directive allowing consumers to pay bill deposits in three equal monthly installments. He also expressed support for the ERC’s recently issued rules governing the imposition of bill deposits. —MCG, GMA News

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