ERC vows to protect consumers vs. rate shocks
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) assured the public and electric consumers that there will be no rate increase next year.
“Be it emphasized that any rate adjustment will not be reflected in the consumers’ bill without having been subjected to public hearings and scrutiny,” ERC Chairman and CEO Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. clarified. “Mr. Concepcion should not pre-empt the ERC and should not make scary statements that will drive the spirit of the holiday season away from every Filipino home. Mr. Concepcion is instead invited to participate in the public hearings to witness how ERC exercises transparency in undertaking due process and evaluation,” Chairman Albano added. The rate adjustment cases filed by the power providers have yet to complete the required evaluations and public hearings; thus no conclusion can be drawn at this time.
The ERC vows to protect electricity consumers against rate shocks that may result from price adjustments triggered by economic factors such as hike in fuel cost, currency adjustments and other factors that may have an impact on electricity rates.
“The ERC assures that the electricity consumers will never experience rate shocks,” Chairman Albano ascertained.
December 21, 2006