Call for sanctions vs erring power distributors backed
A Mindanaoan solon said erring power distributors that overcontracted power supply should be penalized.
Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers expressed support to the call of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian for the Energy Regulatory Commission to penalize these power distributors.
“The call to penalize power distributors that overcontracted power supply and imposed the costs to consumers is a good call. But imposing fines on their mismanagement is not enough. They should be made to refund to the consumers who paid for electricity that they never used. The refund can come as discounted billings spread over a certain period,” Barbers said in a statement.
Barbers said in Surigao del Norte, people are experiencing the same problem for years now.
Napakataas po ng electricity rates doon. This seemingly becoming trend or practice has to stop and the ERC should do something about it ASAP,” Barbers added.
According to Barbers, the fines that must be imposed should not be a “mere slap on the wrist “to avoid repeated violations.
“It is indeed rubbing insult to injury. The ERC should immediately dig deep in its investigations and take action to protect the consumers,” Barbers said.
