The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced on Thursday that it has implemented an extension of consumer relief protection measures such as the suspension of electricity service disconnections and flexible payment options.

The ERC, in line with Executive Order No. 110 that declared the country under a State of Energy Emergency, directed all Distribution Utilities (DUs) nationwide to suspend electricity service disconnections for residential and non-residential consumers over failure to pay their power bills from August to October 2026.

Moreover, the DUs are ordered to permit staggered or deferred payment methods to ease the financial burden on consumers.

The ERC allows consumers who have a monthly consumption below 200 kWh to defer their payments for August through October, or the Extended Covered Billing Period and to pay in increments for at least three months from receipt of the bill.

However, the ERC still encourages consumers who are able to pay their bills in full to do so.

The same payment schemes apply to DUs, the ERC said.

“The DU shall segregate the amounts paid by the consumers to determine the amount due to GenCos (Generation Companies), PSALM (Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.), NPC (National Power Corp.), TRANSCO (National Transmission Corp.), NGCP, IPPAs (Independent Power Producer Administrators), and MO (Market Operator), which shall be paid on a staggered basis for at least three months,” the ERC said.

In addition, DUs are required to submit their compliance documents within 30 days of the Extended Covered Billing Period—on or before October 30, 2026.