ERC approves new bill format of MERALCO

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved Manila Electric Company’s (MERALCO) proposed new bill format which streamlined the existing electric bill for its customers’ better understanding.

“The ERC found MERALCO’s proposal to reformat its billing commendable and that approval thereof would be beneficial to its customers,” ERC Chairman and CEO Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. clarified. “The new design is compliant with the minimum requirements prescribed by the ERC in Resolution No. 20, Series of 2005 as all the relevant information are present therein,” the Chief Regulator added.

MERALCO’s new bill format optimizes the use of the space on the bill page so that future regulatory requirements may be accommodated therein. The evident changes in the physical dimensions and appearance of the MERALCO bill include: (1) reduction of paper size; (2) enlargement of fonts and improved print quality; (3) utilization of the back page for bill computation details; (4) summary in table form of the current billing information and bill subtotal amounts; (5) inclusion of graphics and customer-oriented tips and information; and (6) the contact information for the Consumer Affairs Service of the ERC.

As a related measure, the ERC also directed MERALCO and all the other distribution utilities (DUs) to divulge, though not in the bill itself, the generation mix of their respective power sources for check and balance purposes. The said data on generation mix is required to be posted at the DUs’ website for easy verification. “ERC will see to it that every DU gets from the least cost source of electricity, as possible. Transparency in the DU’s generation mix will help erase suspicions on price or supply manipulations of DUs and their power suppliers. Let us all be vigilant in monitoring our electric bills and the activities of the electric provider to ensure the success of the emerging competitive electricity market,” Chairman Albano urged.

December 12, 2006