TACLOBAN CITY — The Leyte provincial board is urging energy regulators and other government agencies to act swiftly on rising electricity costs, particularly congestion-related charges that have added to the monthly power bills of consumers in the province.
First District Board Member Wilson Uy authored a resolution calling on the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Eastern Visayas and national energy agencies to address the impact of line loss and congestion costs (LLCC) on electricity consumers.
The resolution specifically urges the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Department of Energy (DOE), and Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) to expedite the release of net settlement surplus allocation (NSSA) flow-back refunds to consumers.
It also calls for reforms in the country’s electricity pricing mechanisms to prevent consumers from bearing additional costs arising from transmission grid constraints and congestion.
The measure noted that persistent congestion in the transmission network has contributed to higher LLCC, which are passed on to households and businesses through their electricity bills.
Uy said the provincial government should push for measures that would reduce unnecessary charges and ensure a fairer and more efficient electricity market.
The resolution comes as concerns over LLCC and other transmission-related charges continue to grow in Eastern Visayas, where high electricity rates have placed additional financial pressure on households and businesses.
Uy said the measure reflects the provincial government’s commitment to protecting consumers in Leyte’s First District and the rest of the province while advocating for policies that could bring down electricity costs and improve the efficiency of the country’s power system.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
