THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has reiterated its directive to all distribution utilities (DUs) to post in their respective websites the breakdown of their generation charges, including, but not limited to, their sources.

This initiative is in line with the agency’s efforts to ensure DUs’ compliance with the ERC Resolution 5, Series of 2007.

To date, only 91 or 65 percent of the total 141 DUs in the country were able to comply with the said ERC directive. “The remaining 50 DUs who have not submitted compliance are now under evaluation by the ERC for determination of possible violation of ERC order,” the agency said.

Section 25 of Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001” (Epira), provides that “A distribution utility shall have the obligation to supply electricity in the least cost manner to its captive market, subject to the collection of retail rate duly approved by the ERC.”

The generation charge accounts for 50 percent to 60 percent of the total monthly electric bill that the consumers pay. “By posting the detailed breakdown of the generation cost, the consumers are well-informed of the different sources of power that the DU had contracted including the cost per supply source,” ERC said.

Moreover, the agency added that showing the itemized breakdown of generation charges “fosters transparency and full accountability on the part of the DU in its procurement of power supply, the cost of which is eventually passed on to the consumers.”