(PNA file photo)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II) has suspended the collection of its 10 percent surcharge on delayed payment of electric bills as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
NORECO II said in its advisory on Tuesday that the suspension of the interest charges for delayed or delinquent payments will take effect in the September billing.
The ERC on Sept. 2 issued a cease and desist order against the electric cooperative to stop the collection of the surcharges following a petition signed by thousands of power consumers opposing the same and which was coursed through the office of Rep. Manuel T. Sagarbarria of the 2nd district of Negros Oriental.
NORECO II declined to comment, saying this is a regulatory process and they will submit their answer to the show cause order before they can give out further details.
It also did not say for how long the suspension will last.
Meanwhile, the electric cooperative called on its member-consumer-owners (MCOs) to pay their bills on time or face service disconnection.
It said they will strictly enforce this time the regulation stipulated by the Magna Carta for residential electricity consumers on service disconnection.
Consumers are given nine days from the time of receipt of the bill, or seven days from the due date, for them to settle their accounts.
A 48-hour notice of disconnection will be given for those who are unable to pay on time.
The cooperative said this is one way of allowing NORECO II to obtain their collection efficiency based on standards set by the National Electrification Administration to remit payments to power suppliers and/or agencies. (PNA)
