Lower generation rates expected in September to October

CEBU, Philippines —  The generation rates in the Visayan Electric franchise area will be 0.07 centavos lower for the September-October billing period.

President and Chief Operating Officer Raul C. Lucero, in a statement, said the slight drop in the generation rates for the current billing period is due to the low power rates at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

From an average rate of P12.02 per kilowatt hour for residential customers for the August-September billing period, average residential rates for the September-October billing period are now at P11.95 per kilowatt hour.

It can be recalled that the generation rates in the Visayan Electric franchise area were 20 centavos lower for the August-September billing period from the average of P12.22 per kilowatt hour for residential customers for the July-August billing period.

Meanwhile, Visayan Electric has already started disconnecting customers who have at least two months unpaid outstanding balances last September 8, 2021 after the cities and municipalities in its franchise area were declared under general community quarantine (GCQ).

It can be recalled that the Visayan Electric has implemented a no disconnection policy in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine, specifically the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

This is pursuant to a memorandum from the Department of Energy dated August 6, 2021 which encouraged all distribution utilities in areas that have been declared by the IATF under ECQ or MECQ to "implement a no disconnection policy for all electricity consumers due to non-payment of bills" falling due on the periods of ECQ or MECQ set by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

With the declaration of GCQ within their franchise area, the power utility, however, still offers payment arrangements to customers of good standing who cannot pay their bills in full as of yet due to the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

It added that customers who want to apply for payment arrangements may visit any of the Visayan Electric Service Centers located in One Pavilion Mall in Banawa, Cebu City; JCentre Mall in Mandaue City; Piazza Elisea in Talamban, Cebu City; Glajj Building in Consolacion or at the South Extension Office in Tabunok, Talisay City.

Visayan Electric is the second largest electric utility in the Philippines. It serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and four municipalities of the greater part of Metro Cebu — Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando. — GMR (FREEMAN)