The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (PHILRECA) on Monday said the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country have complied with all the directives of government regulatory agencies to protect the interests of consumers during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.
PHILRECA Executive Director and General Manager lawyer Janeene Depay-Colingan issued the statement in response to the issue of the ECs’ non-compliance with the advisories and issuances made by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
“As of this billing period, ECs have returned to using actual/physical meter reading.”
“PHILRECA, together with the 121 electric cooperatives operating nationwide, would like to express its unwavering support to government regulators as well as compliance with its directives in ensuring the welfare and interest of electricity consumers,” Depay-Colingan said.
The lady lawyer noted that during the first meeting of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission last Friday, May 22, PHILRECA reported that the ECs have been complying with all the advisories and issuances of government regulatory agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the ERC.
These include the directive to provide a grace period for all electricity consumers to pay their bills falling due within the ECQ period, without interests, penalties, fees and charges.
On the amortization payment scheme, PHILRECA said the ECs have informed the member-consumer-owners (MCOs) and were given discretion whether to pay in full or in staggered method without interests, penalties, or the possibility of disconnection of service.
With respect to meter reading, a number of ECs resorted to estimated billing (average of previous months’ billing) due to mobility restrictions during the quarantine period.
“ERC has given instructions to use estimated billing to avoid the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force issuances,” the group said. “As of this billing period, ECs have returned to using actual/physical meter reading and have started using such readings to their billing statements.”
PHILRECA also acknowledged that, in certain occasions, some consumers have raised their concerns on higher electricity bills during the quarantine period.
ECs have been complying with all the advisories and issuances of government regulatory agencies.
The group said the ECs have already conducted an information dissemination campaign to explain the factors contributing to high electricity consumption. Some power coops also reached out to their respective local government units (LGUs) to explain such circumstances.
“All ECs have Consumer Welfare Desks where MCOs can reach out to in the event that they would be needing any clarification in their billing statements,” the PHILRECA statement concluded.