MANILA - The government is eyeing a moratorium on power bill payments and disconnections in areas ravaged by tropical storm Kristine.

Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to study the imposition of a moratorium on electricity line disconnections and payment collections from October to December 2024 in areas under a State of Calamity due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

“To aid in recovery efforts, the President directed the ERC to study the immediate implementation of a moratorium on electricity line disconnection and payment collection for the period October to December 2024 in areas under State of Calamity due to STS Kristine, and staggered payments of electricity for the said months, as necessary,” the palace statement read.

The Department of Trade and Industry has already imposed a prize freeze on basic goods in areas under a state of calamity in the wake of the devastation caused by Kristine.

Under a state of calamity, a 60-day automatic price freeze is imposed on products such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent, and salt.

Meanwhile the Department of Energy advised the public to avoid traveling to the Bicol region during the Undas holidays amid the traffic congestion in the region.