The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) brought consumer rights education directly to vulnerable groups in Biliran through its Continuing Regulatory Education for Stakeholders (CREST) activity held on August 13 in Naval, Biliran.

The program, specifically designed for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), gathered 120 participants from various barangays with the support of the Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BILECO) as well as the local government of Naval. The initiative, according to the ERC’s website post, aimed to ensure that elderly consumers and PWDs, sectors that often face barriers in accessing regulatory information, are fully aware of their electricity rights and available government support programs.

Atty. Joel Y. Bontuyan, Chief Energy Regulation Officer of the Consumer Affairs Service–Visayas Area Operations Division, discussed the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers (MCREC) and stressed the importance of protection against unwarranted disconnection. “Consumer protection is a central part of the Magna Carta,” he said, emphasizing that the provisions safeguard households from disconnections that are not properly warranted.

Ms. Leonida Genelza, also from the ERC’s Visayas office, walked participants through the details of senior citizen discounts and the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program for qualified low-income households. These programs, she pointed out, are designed to ease the financial burden on those who need support the most.

During the open forum, BILECO General Manager Engr. Gerardo N. Oledan addressed practical concerns raised by attendees. These include the process of applying for senior citizen discounts and the documentary requirements needed to qualify for the subsidy program.

The CREST activity reflects the ERC’s continuing effort to make regulatory education accessible to underserved groups. By bringing the discussions closer to the community, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all consumers, especially the elderly and PWDs, can exercise their rights as electricity users.

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