New RCOA policy would have caused power rate hike, watchdog says

New RCOA policy would have caused power rate hike, watchdog says

Power sector watchdog Bantay Kuryente expressed relief over the TRO against the new retail competition and open access (RCOA) policy, as this would have led to a spike in electricity rates.

The group’s statement comes after AGHAM partylist and consumer group Citizen Watch released statements in support of the Supreme Court’s decision.

Read: AGHAM partylist lauds TRO against new RCOA policy

Read: CitizenWatch: ERC, DOE’s new policy contradicts EPIRA law

The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the implementation of DOE and ERC’s new policy benefits not only the petitioners and businesses, ultimately consumers in general, Bantay Kuryente secretary general Pet Climaco said.

The group previously expressed dismay over the mandatory contestability, saying it forced consumers to abandon their existing contracts and enter into new, unfavorable ones in order to meet the February 26 deadline set by ERC.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Ateneo De Manila University, San Beda College-Alabang and mall owner Riverbanks Development Corp. filed the petition against the new policy.

“This shows that there is multi-sectoral opposition to the ERC’s new policy,” Climaco said.

He urged business groups, academic institutions, consumers and civil society to express their opinion on the matter.

“The consumers, as the central parties-in-interest, should be made aware if there really is no basis for the mandatory migration being ordered by the DOE and the ERC through the questioned issuances.” Climaco added.



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