The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued an advisory directing all electric power industry stakeholders to implement consumer protection measures following the declaration of a state of national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110.
In its advisory, the ERC instructed all distribution utilities (DUs) nationwide to suspend electricity disconnections for non-payment covering the billing months of May to July 2026 for both residential and non-residential consumers in captive markets.
EO 110, issued on March 24, 2026, cited global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran and their impact on the stability and availability of the country’s energy supply.
The commission also ordered the implementation of flexible payment arrangements, allowing consumers with monthly consumption of up to 200 kilowatt-hours to defer payment of their electricity bills for the covered period.
These deferred bills may be settled in at least three monthly installments reflected in succeeding billing statements.
Under the scheme, bills from May to July 2026 may be paid on a staggered basis over three months. Consumers, however, are still encouraged to pay their electricity bills if they are financially able.
The ERC also directed generation companies, such as the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), the National Power Corp. (NPC), the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo), the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), independent power producers (IPPs), independent power producer administrators (IPPAs), and the market operator to extend similar payment arrangements to distribution utilities.
Distribution utilities were instructed to properly segregate consumer payments to determine corresponding obligations to power suppliers and related entities, which shall likewise be settled on a staggered basis over at least three months.
DUs are required to submit compliance reports within 30 days after the end of the covered billing period or on or before Aug. 30, 2026.
The ERC said the measures are intended to provide relief to consumers while ensuring continuity and stability in electricity service amid external energy supply risks.
