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Workers inspect an electric meter installed above ground in Manila on January 11, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Electric Meter Reading

Alvin Elchico

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) may extend the &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/5/6/erc-orders-suspension-of-power-disconnection-until-july-1618" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">no disconnection policy</a>&quot; that is set to end by July 31, 2026.ERC Chairman Nino Juan said the commission will deliberate on the possibility of extending the suspension of disconnection in response to complaints against high electricity bills in the last few months.&quot;Kung kakayanin pa naman, bakit hindi na ating palawigin pa sa loob ng mga isang buwan nang sa ganoon ay magkaroon naman din ng kaunting kalutasan doon sa problema ng ating mga kababayan na nahihirapan silang makabayad on time doon sa kanilang bills,&quot; he said.The commission also approved several requests from electric cooperatives and private utilities around the country to stagger the hefty rate hikes from the June to July billing period.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/24/power-distributors-ask-for-staggered-electricity-rate-hikes-in-june-erc-1602" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Power distributors ask for staggered electricity rate hikes in June—ERC</a></div>While Meralco did not request for its rate hike to be staggered, since its overall rate increase is less than P1/kWh, Juan said the power distributor also deferred several components of the generation charge amounting to more than P1 billion. This amount will be recovered from consumers in the next few months. &quot;Eto ay masasama naman doon sa mga future billings niya sa Meralco at ito ang maipapasa naman ng Meralco sa mga susunod na buwan,&quot; he said.Meanwhile, Power4people Coalition trooped to the office of the Energy Regulatory Commission to protest against steep electricity prices. The group demands that the ERC act to protect the interests of consumers. Bayan Muna, on the other hand, warned of higher inflation as the oil crisis continues.&quot;If the Marcos Administration drags its feet or contents itself with band-aid solutions like emergency powers, we are in for numerous price shocks in the coming weeks and maybe months,&quot; said former Bayan Muna representative Carlos Zarate.&quot;The domino effect on prices of goods and services will be triggered by exorbitant oil prices, and ordinary Filipinos — already battered by years of economic hardship and still reeling from the earlier oil price crisis— will bear the full brunt of that collapse,&quot; he said.Zarate has reiterated the Makabayan bloc&#x27;s urgent call for the fast-tracking of House Bill 215 ot Presyo Ibaba Bill, which seeks to scrap the excise tax and expanded VAT on oil products, electricity, water, toll, foods, and other basic products.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) may extend the "<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/5/6/erc-orders-suspension-of-power-disconnection-until-july-1618" target="_blank">no disconnection policy</a>" that is set to end by July 31.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) may extend the " no disconnection policy " that is set to end by July 31.

ERC says open to extending 'no disconnection' policy

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ERC says open to extending 'no disconnection' policy

Alvin Elchico,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2026 05:25 PM PHT

Read More:

Meralco

electricity bills

kuryente

no disconnection policy

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