ERC approves unbundled rate applications of 5 more power co-ops

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the unbundled rate applications of five more electric cooperatives.

The new batch of unbundling petitions approved include: Aurora Electric Inc. (AURELCO); Ifugao Electric Cooperative Inc. (IFELCO); South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative Inc. (SOCOTECO I); Leyte II Electric Cooperative Inc. (LEYECO II); and Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative Inc. (NORECO I).

ERC chairman Manuel Sanchez said the new approvals bring to 39 the distribution utilities and electric cooperatives granted authority to unbundle their electricity rates.

Sanchez said this is part of the ERC’s commitment to come up with all the unbundling decisions before the end of this year.

The ERC chief also committed to protect the interest of all stakeholders by allowing only fair and justifiable rates to be charged by all electric distribution utilities to its customers.

In the latest unbundling decisions, the ERC approved an overall average tariff adjustment of P0.3743/kwh for AURELCO, P0.1119/kwh for IFELCO, P0.1563/kwh for SOCOTECO I, P0.0187/kwh for LEYECO II, and P0.0736/kwh for NORECO I.

Under Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, all distribution utilities are required to submit their revised rates for approval by the ERC.

The unbundling process will result in the identification and separation of the individual charge for providing specific electric service to any end-user for generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. The process will provide greater transparency which will help consumers identify where their electric bills are coming from.