ERC studying pause on electricity disconnections, payments in Kristine-hit areas

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Wednesday said it is now studying the implementation of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive to pause the collection of electricity bills in areas adversely affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine (international name: Trami).

In a statement, ERC officer-in-charge chairperson and CEO Jesse Hermogenes Andres said the agency is "thoroughly studying the proposal to implement a moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections in areas under a state of calamity due to STS Kristine."

Marcos tasked Tuesday the ERC to study the possible implementation of the temporary relief when it comes to the electricity bill payments in areas placed under state of calamity.

The possible moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections may be from October to December 2024.

With the President's directive, Andres said the ERC is "currently developing measures that would allow for staggered payment options for electricity bills to help alleviate the financial burden on our kababayans (countrymen) as they recover from the impact of the STS Kristine."

The ERC chief also said that the regulatory body is "recognizing the urgency of the President's directive."

Andres, moreover, appealed to all distribution utilities (DUs) to take similar measures that will ease the burden of electricity costs in severely affected areas "by allowing staggered collection of payments from October to December 2024."

"In consideration of the coming holiday season, DUs should observe a moratorium on the disconnection of electricity service of distressed consumers," he said.

"In the meantime, the ERC calls on the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), privately-owned DUs and electric cooperatives (ECs) in areas affected by STS Kristine to assess the damage and fast track the restoration of electricity in typhoon-hit areas," he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News