PRESS RELEASE: ERC seeking final comments on Rules Governing the Type Approval of Meter Products
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) resolved on 12 July 2010 to subject to a final round of comments the Rules Governing the Type Approval of Meter Products to be used by the Distribution Utilities (DUs) in Revenue Metering. The Rules may be downloaded from www.erc.gov.ph or may be photocopied at cost, during regular hours at the ERC Main Office, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, and Pasig City. All interested parties should submit their comments (in hard and soft copies) on the proposed rules on or before 30 July 2010 (Friday). Electronic copies of the comments may be emailed to consumer@erc.gov.ph. The Rules were first subjected for comments on 11 December 2009.
The Rules seek to ensure that all electric watt-hour meters installed by a DU conform to the standards and requirements adopted by the ERC in order to guarantee the proper functioning of the meters under normal working conditions. Modifications to this present version of the Rules were made to address concerns of the ERC that emerged after the consideration, in due course, of comments and concerns solicited from stakeholders.
The revised Rules’ features, to mention a few, include: 1. A provision for the ERC to coordinate with other government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bureau of Customs (BoC) for assistance, when needed; 2. A marker or sticker of the ERC logo must be placed on the nameplate of meters that belong to an ERC approved type of meter product; and 3. The identification of the proper testing laboratory to issue the required type approval certificate for new meter products.
“Accurate electricity consumption meters are among the best tools to protect the consumers. For it to be achieved requires the active participation and cooperation of the consuming public and the industry stakeholders with the regulator. It is a great challenge to assure the accuracy of the country’s approximately 8 million residential electric meters. Having a well and thoroughly-consulted set of Rules creates a strong foundation for the successful hurdling of this challenge,” ERC Chairperson & CEO Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut stressed.
Draft Rules Governing the Type Approval of Meter Products bo be used by the DUs in Revenue Metering
July 27, 2010