Consumers ask ERC to stop power disconnections

The Power for People Coalition on Tuesday launched a signature campaign urging the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and the national government to stop electricity disconnections as consumers face rising power bills and higher prices of basic goods.

The group said the Philippines remains heavily exposed to price shocks in the global coal, gas and oil markets because of its reliance on imported fuels for energy needs.

“In the first month of the war, coal prices have gone up by 17%, gas by 91%, and oil by 37%. This could translate to an increase of 5.00 Php/kWh at the minimum in generation costs for the Meralco franchise area for months to come. Higher electricity costs add to already skyrocketing prices of all other basic commodities, and there’s no indication of an end to this war-driven economic crisis in the near future. Meanwhile, we’re also experiencing dangerous heat index levels. It’s plain cruel to cut the electricity connection of any consumer who is unable to pay bills at this time,” P4P Convenor Gerry Arances said.

P4P said electricity consumers should also be protected from higher fuel costs that are automatically passed through to consumers and reflected in monthly power bills.

“There has been public clamor over subsidies shouldered by consumers as electricity rates soar, and it is understandable – we should definitely be vigilant over why our government and power companies themselves refuse to shoulder the necessary support for poor and vulnerable sectors. But the largest pass-through costs are hidden in the generation charge in our electricity bill,” Arances said.

In the petition, signatories called for the “IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NO DISCONNECTION POLICY” to stop all electricity disconnections for consumers who are unable to pay bills amid the energy crisis.

They also urged regulators and the government to implement grace periods and flexible payment schemes.

The petition also called on authorities to “FREEZE RATES AND PROHIBIT PASS-THROUGH FUEL CHARGES.”

P4P said rate increases should be frozen and the pass-through of fuel costs should be prohibited during the crisis, arguing that such costs far exceed the supposed “least-cost” pricing committed by companies in their power contracts.

The petition further demanded that regulators “HOLD COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ABUSIVE CHARGES AND PRACTICES.”

P4P asked authorities to closely monitor, investigate and prohibit excessive charges in any component of electricity bills, and to hold abusive companies accountable.

“Electricity is not just a business—it is a public service. It is the duty of the ERC, DOE, and the government to protect the welfare of ordinary citizens and to ensure affordable and reliable electricity for all, especially in times of crisis,” the petition read.

The petition had gathered hundreds of signatures as of writing, according to P4P.

The group said the ERC, as the country’s power sector regulator, can implement a no-disconnection policy without waiting for instructions from the executive branch.

The ERC previously considered extending no-disconnection measures during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers struggled with the economic impact of the crisis, showing that disconnection relief has been used as a regulatory response in past emergencies.

Electricity bills in the Meralco franchise area include a generation charge, which covers the cost of power purchased from suppliers, including independent power producers, power supply agreements, renewable energy suppliers and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, according to Meralco’s bill guide.

The controversy over power bill components has resurfaced in 2026 after public concern over rising electricity bills and questions about charges reflected in consumer accounts.