Question & AnswerQ&A (ERC Resolution NO. 12, S. 2009)
ERC Resolution No. 12, s. 2009 adopts the Rules and Procedures for the Test and Maintenance of Electric Meters of Distribution Utilities in the Philippines.
The ERC's authority comes from Sections 16(d), (e), (f), and (g) and Section 17(d) of Commonwealth Act No. 146, which empower the Commission to fix just and reasonable standards, establish rules and regulations, and to provide for examination and tests of measuring appliances used by public services.
Commonwealth Act No. 349 created a meter laboratory responsible for inspecting, examining, and periodically approving all meters and appliances for measurement used by public services under the ERC's jurisdiction to ensure accuracy.
Distribution Utilities are required to follow the adopted Rules and Procedures for the testing and maintenance of electric meters to ensure the highest level of consumer confidence in the accuracy of billing meters.
The draft Rules and Procedures were posted on the ERC website and published in newspapers for public comment, followed by expository hearings and public consultations in various locations to gather feedback from stakeholders.
The Resolution takes effect on the fifteenth (15th) day following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
All previous rules, regulations, and issuances by the Energy Regulatory Commission that are contrary to this Resolution are deemed superseded.
The meter laboratory serves as a technical and regulatory body to periodically inspect, examine, and approve meters to ensure their accuracy, thus supporting fair billing practices by Distribution Utilities.
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.
The full text is available at the Office of the National Administrative Register, U. P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.