CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (SFELAPCO) to refund P650 million, representing power generation charges, to its consumers.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Vilma Caluag said this is a victory for Fernandinos.
On March 3, 2023, ERC issued its decision on ERC Case No. 2021-749 SC, and ERC Case No. 2023-001 SC which tackled the alleged administrative violations of SFELAPCO.
ERC also ordered the power distribution company to pay P21,600,000 penalty to the commission.
SFELAPCO was also directed to refund excess charges to its consumers from January 2013 to December 2022 amounting to P654,397,381.48.
The decision came after ERC discovered that SFELAPCO implemented a Power Supply Agreement with AP Renewables Inc. sans approval from the commission.
This was discovered after Caluag wrote a letter to ERC seeking the former’s intervention on the announced SFELAPCO’s increased in generation charges on January 2023.
“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,” said Caluag.
Although ERC decision is still not final and executory, Caluag said that it can still be considered a victory as it shed light on the operation of SFELAPCO.
“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,” the mayor added.
Caluag assured Fernandinos that she will continue the "fight."
“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.