AS much of the country struggles to cope with the loss of income during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that has been imposed over Luzon and many other areas of the Philippines, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has risen to the occasion by offering consumers some timely and much-needed relief. Because the ERC and the electricity sector are often perceived as being inconsiderate of consumer welfare, we think their efforts deserve to be highlighted.
On April 16, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi announced that the ERC had issued an advisory directing distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers to give a grace period to customers who have bills with due dates that fall between March 16 and April 30— the period of the ECQ in Luzon. Interest charges, late payment fees and other additional charges are also to be waived.
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