Suspension of Electricity Disconnection for Non-Payment Extended Until December — Applicable Only to Households Using 200kWh or Less Per Month

📌 On Monday, October 5, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced that the policy suspending electricity disconnections for customers unable to pay their bills will be extended until December. However, this time, it applies only to households with a monthly electricity consumption of 200kWh or less, excluding commercial and industrial customers.

■ What's Changing
· Target: Households with a monthly consumption of 200kWh or less. Previously, the policy applied to all residential and non-residential customers nationwide.
· Period: Covers unpaid bills for November and December. The current policy ends in October.
· Deferred bills can be paid in installments over 3 months and will be added to subsequent billing statements.
· The ERC plans to issue a detailed advisory within October.

■ Background
· The disconnection suspension was first implemented in the wake of the Middle East crisis, extended until October, and this marks the second extension.
· ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan explained that the scope was narrowed because distribution utilities appealed that their financial conditions were strained due to payment delays from some commercial customers. The agency maintains its stance to protect low-income households as electricity rates continue to rise.

■ Tips for Residents and Travelers
· Check your monthly consumption (kWh) on your billing statement. If it exceeds 200kWh, you will not be eligible for the suspension starting with your November bill.
· Check the ERC advisory to be released in October and announcements from distribution utilities such as Meralco for specific implementation details.

■ Sources
Philstar(10/6), The Manila Times(10/6), Inquirer(10/6)