Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to grant the government authority to set electricity prices and impose consumer protection measures during states of emergency or calamities.
Senate Bill No. 20361 aims to empower regulators to intervene in power pricing when an energy emergency is declared, while also mandating an automatic no-disconnection policy and allowing deferred payment schemes for affected consumers.
Hontiveros said the measure would ensure that households are protected from service interruptions and sudden cost spikes during crises.
“Naghain ako kahapon ng Senate Bill 20361 na naglalayong bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang gobyerno na magtakda ng presyo ng kuryente kapag may state of emergency o may calamity,” Hontiveros said during a committee on energy session on Thursday, July 30.
She added that the proposal would make a no-disconnection policy automatic in such situations and include provisions for deferred payments.
The senator also raised concerns about whether consumers could be disconnected for nonpayment during emergencies, noting the absence of a clear policy.
Responding to her query, the Department of Energy (DOE) said there is currently no standing rule prohibiting disconnections during emergencies but confirmed that it is open to studying the proposal.
“There’s no policy as of now, but we will look into that,” a DOE official said.
The agency noted that during past emergencies, it coordinated with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to implement administered pricing for at least the first month to help regulate costs.
Hontiveros asked whether a default no-disconnection policy during calamities could be considered moving forward. The DOE replied in the affirmative, saying it would be included in its review.
The proposal also takes into account ongoing discussions with power distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on preventing disconnections while consumers are contesting allegedly erroneous billing.
The bill comes months after the government declared a state of national energy emergency on March 24, 2026, through Executive Order No. 110 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing risks to the country’s energy supply due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Hontiveros said the measure seeks to institutionalize safeguards introduced during emergencies and ensure consumers are protected from both high electricity costs and service disruptions during times of crisis.
