ERC clarifies rules on no disconnection

MANILA — The Energy Regulatory Commission clarifies that consumers who have not paid their bills from May to July 2026 face disconnection in November, even if the commission has extended the no-disconnection policy until the end of 2026. 

ERC officer in charge Rexie Baldo-Digal said the extended no-disconnection policy only applies to consumers nationwide who consume up to 200 kilowatt-hours per month. Commissioner Digal said the 200 kWh threshold is already enough to power common appliances like a TV, ref, rice cooker, and lighting fixtures in the house.

Consumers who have not paid their electricity bill from May until July need to settle their arrears, as utilities and electric cooperatives are now authorized to disconnect.

“To avail of the suspension of disconnection for the new covered billing period, covered consumers are required to pay on or before Nov 26, 2026, all unpaid regular bills and unpaid installment payments for the covered billing period of May 2026 to July 2026,” said an advisory from the ERC.

But for those with unpaid bills from August to October, they still have until December 26, 2026 to settle the accumulated bills. 

The utilities and electric coops are also ordered to stagger payments of those qualified for the no disconnection policy. 

Generation companies and power producers, as well as other players like NGCP, Transco and PSALM are also instructed to implement staggered payment plans similar to qualified consumers.

Meanwhile, another mixed price movement is expected in petroleum products next week.

But this time, it’s gasoline products that will have a rollback.  

Based on the first 3 trading days in the mean of Mean of Platts Singapore:

Diesel         P0.68/L increase

Gasoline    P2.60/L decrease

Kerosene   P0.05/L increase

Jetti Petroleum President Leo Bellas sees further price drop in gasoline prices today. 

Bellas agrees that there is a stronger possibility of mixed price movements next week, even if diesel prices are also likely to ease today and Friday.

According to Bellas, there might be a reduced price increase for diesel but not anymore a rollback. 

Diesel prices have been going down in the last two weeks, already reaching almost P12.00 per liter.