The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said steps are in place to help protect consumers from rising electricity costs.
The ERC has ordered all power distributors to stop cutting off electricity service to customers until July. It also told utilities to offer staggered or deferred payment options so households and businesses can pay their bills more gradually.
ERC chairman Francis Saturnino Juan said the measures aim to prevent sudden disconnections and reduce the immediate impact of higher power prices, especially during the ongoing Middle East conflict affecting energy costs.
Meanwhile, the DOE said it is working on both short- and long-term solutions to keep electricity affordable and reliable. It noted that any changes to value-added tax (VAT) on electricity must be carefully studied to ensure savings are actually passed on to consumers.
The agency explained that electricity VAT is applied across the supply chain, and adjusting it could have complex effects on pricing.
In the long term, the DOE plans to lower costs by increasing power supply, expanding renewable energy, and improving the country’s grid infrastructure. It emphasized that stable supply, cleaner energy, and strong policies are key to lasting affordability.
