THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday, June 13, has approved the staggered payment of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) purchases by distribution utilities (DUs) for four months starting bills payable this June.
As the ERC is set to issue an order to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) and the DUs to immediately implement the payment scheme, the commission will also direct the IEMOP not to impose penalties on DUs as a result of the said arrangement.
By proactively monitoring generation costs of all power utilities, the ERC aims, through this measure, to mitigate the impact of the high generation rates particularly for consumers of DUs with high WESM exposure amidst the recent heat waves in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and a series of red and yellow alerts in the Luzon and Visayas grids.
In addition, under Article 32 of the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers (MCREC), DUs can offer alternative payment options to consumers under terms mutually acceptable to both parties. Consumers, who have the right to be informed of these options and other matters affecting their electric service, should contact their respective DUs for information on the available alternative payment options or to request for special payment terms to settle their unpaid bills./PN
