CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company Inc. (SFELAPCO) yesterday said that they will explore options available to them regarding the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordering the distribution utility to pay penalties and refund its consumers of alleged generation charges due to an unapproved Power Supply Agreement with AboitizPower Renewables, Inc.
On March 3, 2023, the ERC issued decisions on cases No. 2021-749 SC and No. 2023-001 SC regarding the alleged administrative violations of SFELAPCO.
The commission slapped the distribution utility with a P21,600,000 fine.
The ERC also directed the power firm to refund P654,397,381.48 representing "excess charges" to its consumers collected from January 2013 to December 2022.
SFELAPCO Corporate Communications Officer Irwin Nucum said the 69-year old distribution utility will explore all options on the ERC order while "providing one of the cheapest power rates" in Pampanga.
"While we fully respect the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission, we shall also explore all avenues and options available to us. Rest assured, we will continue to provide one of the cheapest power rates in our franchise areas, in the service of our fellow Kapampangans," the SFELAPCO management stated.
SFELAPCO serves consumers in the City of San Fernando, some areas in Floridablanca and a few barangays in neighboring Bacolor town.
During a press conference with officials of the city government of San Fernando headed by Mayor Vilma Caluag on Tuesday, City Legal Counsel Elmer Teodoro and lawyer Cornelio Tallada said the ERC decision is "not final and executory."
They said SFELAPCO can still make an appeal to the proper forum to find a resolution to the cases.
"The ERC is a quasi body and its decision is not final and executory. And we are not taking away legal remedies from SFELAPCO as they can appeal this to a proper body like the Supreme Court. They can do that. But as Mayor Caluag has said, we will continue looking at this issue until there is a resolution for the sake of Fernandinos and other SFELAPCO consumers," the city officials said.