ERC assures fair treatment for power utilities

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has assured distribution utilities (DUs) that the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers will be fair for both the consumers and the electricity providers.

The assurance was made by ERC in the light of the Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) apprehension that the proposal making bill deposits refundable after three years will not automatically protect it from non-paying customers

"The Magna Carta also includes the obligations of a residential electricity consumer. The commission is conscious of its duty to balance the interests of distribution utilities and that of the consumers," ERC chairman Rodolfo B. Albano Jr. said.

The draft of the Magna Carta is still in the consultation stage and currently being presented to the public for comments and suggestions. Two consultations have been conducted recently at the ERC head office while two more were done through a road show in Legaspi City and in Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

A road show will also be conducted simultaneously in the cities of Iloilo and Iligan on March 31 while the remaining road shows will be conducted on April 1, 2, and 12 in the cities of Cagayan De Oro, Davao, and Cebu, respectively.

"We invite the consumers, Meralco and other DUs to actively participate in the public consultations as they have done in the past for other issues. The Magna Carta will be more responsive in addressing the rights and obligations of an electricity consumer with the active participation of both the consumers and the DUs in its finalization," Albano added.