The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (SFELAPCO) to refund its subscribers over P650 million, representing power generation charges.
At a press conference on Tuesday, San Fernando City Mayor Vilma Caluag described the ERC’s order as “a victory for Fernandinos.”
On March 3, ERC issued its decision on ERC Case 2021-749 SC, and ERC Case 2023-001 SC which tackled the alleged administrative violations of SFELAPCO, according to a Sun Star Pampanga report.
ERC also ordered the power distribution company to pay a P21.6 million penalty to the commission, the report said.
SFELAPCO was also directed to refund excess charges to its consumers from January 2013 to December 2022 amounting to P654.4 million.
“The decision came after ERC discovered that SFELAPCO implemented a Power Supply Agreement with AP Renewables Inc. sans approval from the commission,” the Sun Star report said.
“Ito pong desisyon ng ERC ay panalo na kami. For the second time around, pumabor at nanalo ang mga Fernandinos dahil nalaman natin ang totoong sitwasyon,” Caluag was quoted as saying.
Although ERC decision is still not final and executory, the mayor said: “This is a stroke of luck. Gusto lang natin na humingi ng tulong para labanan ang pagtaas nila ng singil pero mas malaki pa pala ang problema.”
“May mga legal consultants tayo para tumulong na maayos ito at ako bilang private individual ay hindi titigil hangga’t hindi matuldukan, manalo man o matalo,” she said in the Sun Star report.
