ERC issues a show cause order to Meralco

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) recently issued a Show Cause Order to the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) about its alleged violation during the Enhance Community Quarantine and Modified Enhance Community Quarantine.

The commission is requiring the electric power distribution company to submit a document explaining its side regarding its non-compliance with the advisories that the former has issued. This includes the usage of the word “estimate” for distributing consumer’s bills, which reflects their past 3 months’ average daily consumption and the amortization of electricity bills within the ECQ period for four succeeding billing months.

As seen on the commission’s Facebook page, the ERC also indicated that Meralco didn’t allow its customers who are living in cities and towns under the ECQ extension to defer their bill payments not earlier than May 15, 2020.

“The Commission provided enough guidance to the distribution utilities on their dealings with their consumers during the periods of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), so as not to cause additional burden at the time of a Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19. We cannot tolerate such non-compliance, and any erring party must be held accountable for their actions or misactions”, said ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera.

Meralco is given up to 10 days, from the receipt of the order, to submit the document.