Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a directive to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to investigate the feasibility of implementing a three-month moratorium on electricity bill payments in regions impacted by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, also known internationally as Trami.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that Marcos has instructed the ERC to examine the possibility of halting electricity line disconnections and payment collections from October to December 2024 in areas designated as being in a state of calamity. This move aims to provide relief and assist in recovery efforts for those severely affected by the storm.
The President’s statement, as released by the PCO, highlighted the necessity of the potential moratorium to support communities in their recovery. It emphasized the need for a temporary suspension of disconnections and collections, along with the possibility of allowing staggered payments for the months of Oct
ober to December 2024 in the calamity-stricken areas.
Severe Tropical Storm Kristine struck last week, causing significant damage across most of Luzon and parts of the Visayas. The storm left many communities inundated, prompting the call for immediate relief measures to aid in the rehabilitation of affected areas.