Question & AnswerQ&A (ERC Resolution NO. 28, S. 2010)
The Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers aims to provide rules, procedures, terms and conditions applicable to residential electricity consumers, who constitute the bulk of the total electricity consumers of distribution utilities.
The ERC derives its authority from Section 41 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which provides that the ERC shall handle consumer complaints and ensure the adequate promotion of consumer interests.
The original Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers was promulgated on June 25, 2004, and it took effect on July 17, 2004.
Amendments were adopted to address current issues and to incorporate newly adopted policies and procedures after soliciting comments from industry stakeholders.
The ERC posted the initial draft on its website, conducted expository hearings, public consultations, posted a second draft for additional comments, and considered all comments before adopting the amendments.
The ERC officially adopted the amendments on November 15, 2010, as stated in ERC Resolution No. 28, s. 2010.
The amendments took effect fifteen (15) days following their complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Copies of the resolution were furnished to the University of the Philippines Law Center Office of the National Administrative Register (UPLC-ONAR).
According to Section 41 of EPIRA, the ERC is tasked to handle consumer complaints and ensure the adequate promotion of consumer interests in the electricity sector.
The resolution was signed by Chairperson Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut and Commissioners Rauf A. Tan, Alejandro Z. Barin, Maria Teresa A.R. Castaneda, and Jose C. Reyes.