Group lauds ERC plan to extend 'no disconnection' policy until end-2020

Consumers group Power for People Coalition (P4P) on Wednesday welcomed the plan of the Energy Regulatory Commission to extend until the end of the year the no-disconnection policy for electricity consumers who fail to settle bills.

“We are grateful that the clamor of Meralco's residential consumers delivered results in the form of Senator Risa Hontiveros’ question and the ERC’s answer,” Gerry Arances, P4P convener, said in a statement.

“Once ERC delivers on its promise, it would give breathing space to all Filipinos who have to worry about their electric bills even as they battle the pandemic, online schooling for their children, and possible loss of their livelihoods,” Arances said.

During a Senate hearing on the ERC's proposed P564 million budget for 2021 on Tuesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked if the moratorium on issuing electricity disconnection notices could be extended beyond the  October 31 to December 31 deadline. 

"'Yan po ang nakalagay sa aming draft ngayon. Sinusundan din po namin ang spirit, not just the letter of the laws," ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes Devanadera said.

P4P said it is currently conducting an online petition campaign called #TigilBayad, which which seeks a moratorium on payment for bills issued during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until after demands for fair electricity rates, a more flexible payment scheme, a return of all pending refunds, reforms billing practices, and an independent audit of the distribution utility have been met.

Meralco was slapped with a P19-million fine by the ERC for violating advisories on how distribution utilities should deal with customers during the lockdowns. 

The company has since settled the penalty, but appealed the directive to provide a retail rate discount to lifeline customers. 

Meralco earlier said that for now the deadline for no disconnection activities is still until the end of October.

Progressive party-list organization Sanlakas also welcomed ERC’s announcement.

However, Sanlakas said that the commission must also prioritize giving relief to consumers during the time of crisis and implement a moratorium on disconnections “until consumers are served justice.”

Sanlakas is a member of the Power for People Coalition. —LBG/BM, GMA News