No disconnection for lifeline consumers until March 31

CEBU, Philippines —  Lifeline customers of Visayan Electric can heave a temporary sigh of relief as the power distribution utility is not disconnecting their supply until March 31, 2021.

This is in compliance with the memorandum issued by Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi directing distribution utilities to implement a “No Disconnection Policy” due to non-payment of bills for all electricity consumers whose consumption level are within the lifeline rate set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The memorandum states that all electricity consumers, both lifeline and non-lifeline, who are still unable to pay may coordinate with their distribution utilities to enter into a socially equitable and manageable payment terms to prevent disconnection of electricity services.

“We seek the solidarity of those consumers who are capable to pay to settle their bills within the original due dates to help managed the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity,” read Cusi’s memorandum.

Lifeline customers in the Visayan Electric franchise area are those who have electricity consumption of 100kWh and below, as set by the ERC.

“Non-lifeline customers who cannot settle their bills in full are asked to immediately get in touch with Visayan Electric so that payment arrangements can be made,” the Visayan Electric said in a statement.

Earlier, Cusi has directed his DOE team to exert all efforts and find ways to uplift the welfare of the consumers in light of the socio-economic and health impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cusi in a recent Cabinet meeting had informed President Rodrigo Dutere that the agency has been reaching out to the other members of the energy family in the private sector on how consumers could be helped at this time, especially the lifeliners or the marginalized sector. 

To date, DOE said it has assisted lifeliners by directing energy entities to observe the grace period and staggered payments for unpaid bills provided under the Bayanihan Law, assistance under the National Electrification Administration's Pantawid Liwanag Program.

DOE has also suspended the universal charge for stranded contract cost and stranded debts to be covered by the Malampaya fund under the Murang Kuryente Act. — FPL (FREEMAN)