Power firms have until April 15 to remit "proportionate shares"

CEBU, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a resolution directing all distribution utilities in the country to remit their respective proportionate shares to the Distribution Management Committee’s 2009 budget.

In a resolution, ERC said all distribution utilities have until April 15 to remit their proportionate shares and directed them to submit their proof of compliance 15 days after.

The ERC approved budget of the DMC for this year is P2,251,094 and the proportionate share of each distribution utility to the 2009 DMC budget is computed based on its 2007 Annual Energy Sales.

Of the 140 distribution utilities in the country, the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO has the biggest share amounting to P1,363,808.32 and followed by the Cebu-based Visayan Electric Company Inc. (VECO) which has a share of P87,415.84.

Other Cebu-based distribution utilities such as Cebu Electric Cooperative I, II and III made a share total of P19,045.94 while Mactan Electric Cooperative has a share of P12,388.12.

ERC pointed that that Section 42 (b) of the Republic Act 9136 mandated the agency to promulgate and enforce the Philippine Grid Code and Philippine Distribution Code, which shall provide for rules, requirements, procedures and standards that will ensure the safe, reliable, secure and efficient operation, maintenance and development of the electricity systems in the country. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (THE FREEMAN)