\Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any electricity rate increase is implemented on a staggered basis.

Gatchalian said this is to protect consumers from sudden financial distress.

Gatchalian, vice-chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, emphasized that the ERC should closely monitor electricity rates and prohibit one-time, large increases.

Consumers are already reeling from the high cost of living. Spreading any increase in electricity rates across several billing cycles would help cushion the impact, he said.

"The electricity sector is a regulated industry, and the ERC should not allow one-time, big-time increases in electricity rates. Now is the worst time to increase electricity costs," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian stressed the ERC must remain vigilant in ensuring no unwarranted increase in electricity rates is implemented and added to the daily financial strain of ordinary consumers.

"It's the job of the ERC to help ease the burden on our people,” he said.

While the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 curtailed government intervention in electricity pricing, the government may still intervene in case of a supply shortage, he added.

-Paraluman News