Group welcomes ERC extension of disconnection moratorium
The Philippines' Energy Regulatory Commission has extended a moratorium on electricity service disconnections for three months. This decision aims to support consumers struggling with high energy costs amid a declared state of national energy emergency.
Why it matters
Energy affordability is a critical social issue, and government intervention in utility billing directly impacts household financial stability during economic crises.
LUCENA CITY - A national coalition of consumer groups on Thursday welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission's (ERC) decision to extend for three more months the suspension of electricity service disconnections covering consumers with unpaid power bills.
"This is the result of the collective action and persistent calls of consumers affected by high electricity prices, which the global energy crisis has worsened," the Power for People Coalition (P4P) said in Filipino in a social media post.
ERC had directed all distribution utilities nationwide to suspend electricity service disconnections for customers with unpaid bills covering the August to October billing periods.
READ: ERC extends suspension of power disconnections for 3 more months
The commission said the order remains in effect under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s declaration of a state of national energy emergency to respond to tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that drove global fuel prices higher.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in