ERC orders no disconnections, eases billing in storm areas

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued an advisory directing distribution utilities (DUs) in areas under a State of Calamity due to Severe Tropical Storm Crising, Tropical Storm Dante, Typhoon Emong, and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon to suspend electricity disconnections for residential and non‑residential consumers in their captive market.

Under the advisory, consumers with monthly consumption not exceeding 100 kilowatt‑hours may defer payment of their electricity bills for the covered period and settle them on a staggered basis over a period of less than three months from receipt of the bill.

The ERC also directed generators, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), the National Power Corporation (NPC), the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), independent power producers (IPPs), independent power producer administrators (IPPAs), and the Market Operator (MO) to apply the same staggered payment arrangement to DUs, proportionate to collections from affected consumers.

“Nothing in this Advisory shall preclude a consumer from paying his or her electric bills for the Covered Billing Period. Thus, consumers, who are able to pay their electric bills, are urged to pay the same,” the ERC stated.

The ERC’s directive follows previous relief measures, such as the one issued in October 2024 amid Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, where DUs were required to suspend disconnections and implement staggered six‑month payment schemes for consumers using up to 200 kWh monthly.

The 2025 advisory tightens relief parameters—limiting eligibility to those consuming up to 100 kWh and reducing the staggered payment timeframe to under three months—reflecting a tailored response to evolving storm‑recovery needs.

By directing not only utilities but also upstream generators and grid operators to align their receivables management, the ERC aims to sustain cash flow across the sector while easing immediate financial burdens on consumers—particularly vulnerable households in storm-affected regions.