Bantay Kuryente backs Supreme Court’s TRO
POWER sector watchdog Bantay Kuryente says it fully supports the Supreme Court’s Temporary Restraining Order preventing respondents Department of Energy and Energy Regulatory Commission from implementing new policies regarding the Retail Competition and Open Access.
In a statement, it said it was thankful the Supreme Court had recognized that the petition would benefit not only the petitioners, commercial and industrial establishments, but ultimately and more importantly consumers in general.
Earlier, Bantay Kuryente Secretary General Pet Climaco said: “If implemented, the policy will only result in higher electricity prices for consumers and businesses alike.”
It has been the position of Bantay Kuryente that the implementation of mandatory contestability effectively forces consumers to abandon existing arrangements and enter into unfavorable contracts just to meet the unrealistic deadline of Feb. 26, 2017 set by the ERC.
The petition that led to the issuance of the TRO was filed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ateneo de Manila University, San Beda College-Alabang and Riverbanks Development Corp. Climaco said “This shows there is multi-sectoral opposition to the ERC’s new policy.”
Faced with unrealistic and anti-consumer policies, business groups, academic institutions, consumers and civil society must continue to rally together and have their voices heard,” Climaco concluded.
Climaco added: “Reforms in the industry should be undertaken to afford electricity end-users the opportunity to choose their own suppliers of electricity.
“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.
“Bantay Kuryente will remain to be vigilant and steadfast in its advocacy to protect the consumers.”
For inquiries and concerns, you may get in touch with Bantay Kuryente throughbantaykuryenteph@gmail.com, or directly with Secretary General Pet Climaco through +639327308656.
Also posted in http://thestandard.com.ph/mobile/article/230336