Electric cooperatives’ “lifeline consumers” free for March to April billing period – IATF

April 15, 2020

Some three million electric cooperative customers in the country would no longer be charged for their March to April billing period, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said on Wednesday.

In the virtual press briefing, IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the  beneficiaries are those  "lifeline consumers" whose electric consumption is lower than 50 kilowatt hour per month.

"To our countrymen consuming less than 50 kilowatt hour or what is called as lifeline consumers of the electric cooperatives in Luzon, as well as in Visayas and Mindanao - apart from the one month grace period in paying your bills - your consumption for March to April billing period is free," he said.

He said the program is under the Pantawid Liwanag.

Nograles thanked the National Electrification Administration, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. and other electric cooperatives for the program.

Quoting the Department of Energy, the official also assured that Luzon, which is under the enhanced community quarantine due to coronavirus disease pandemic, has more than enough energy capacity at 11,795 megawatts, which is greater than the actual peak demand of 7,323 MW.

He also assured that the water supply this summer is sufficient.

"The National Water Resources Board reports that it has given the full water allocation of 46 cubic meters per second to MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) from the Angat reservoir until April 30, 2020 to ensure the continuous supply of water in Metro Manila," he said.

The Luzon-wide lockdown is set until April 30. Celerina Monte/DMS