TACLOBAN CITY — A bill seeking to eliminate reconnection fees for basic utilities has been filed in the House of Representatives amid rising costs of electricity, water, and internet services.
House Bill No. 8706, or the proposed “No Reconnection Fee Act,” aims to prohibit charges for restoring services once consumers have fully paid their outstanding balances.
The measure was principally authored by Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, along with Reps.Yedda Marie Romualdez, Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
Acidre said the proposal is meant to ease the burden on households already affected by rising fuel prices, which continue to drive up the cost of essential services.
Under the bill, reconnection fees for accounts cut due to nonpayment will be banned, provided all dues have been settled. Cases involving fraud, illegal connections, and safety concerns will remain covered by existing rules.
The measure will be referred to the appropriate House committee for deliberation.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
