QuestionsQuestions (BIR REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 76-91)
To provide guidance to Distribution Utilities (DUs) on the installation and relocation of residential electric meters to elevated metering centers (EMCs) or other elevated service to ensure compliance with safety standards, protect consumers’ interests, and reduce system losses.
Article 11 of the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers allows meters to be located in other areas based on justifiable reasons; the EMC Rules are also grounded on Article 2.11.1 of the DSOAR.
They apply to all DUs whose metering installations are over and above the mounting height prescribed in the Magna Carta and DSOAR, covering the installation/relocation of residential electric meters to EMCs or other elevated service; billing disputes are governed by the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.
They may not be installed or relocated to elevated metering centers or other elevated service except under the specific circumstances listed in Article 2.2.
Non-availability of right-of-way; areas with informal settlers without title/rights resulting to rampant illegal service connection and meter vandalism/tampering; areas with high incidence of illegal service connections and vandalism/tampering; habitual pilferer (twice found by the ERC or a competent court, upon DU proof); and consumer requests meeting the percentage certification requirements.
The DU must exert utmost effort to acquire the right-of-way, and prior to elevation it must write an explanation to the affected consumer about its inability to secure the necessary right-of-way.
When the difference between the average 3-month kilowatt-hour registration in a check meter/load monitoring device and the average 3-month total registered kilowatt-hour consumption of consumers in the area exceeds the allowable system loss cap of the DU.
It must submit a system loss report attributing the conditions, and the ERC acts on the application within 15 days from receipt; approval is deemed if the ERC fails to act within that period.
The DU shoulders the cost of relocation, including service drop wires and all necessary protective accessories from the EMC frames down to the old metering point (or to where the metering would have been located absent EMC elevation).
DU and consumer shall equitably bear costs based on market value at time of purchase of service drop wires and protective accessories from the EMC frames down to where the meter would have been placed; the DU may opt to bear all costs.
The consumer may select the material/accessory vendor, as long as materials/accessories adhere to applicable minimum technical standards; the consumer must present a procurement invoice to commence procurement, and may also advance costs subject to immediate refund of the DU’s equitable share upon proof of purchase.
Not more than 130 meters from the EMC or other elevated service to the point where the metering location would have been placed absent EMC elevation (or on other elevated service).
Meter readings once every billing month; within two (2) days from reading, the DU must report to the consumer and investigate any abrupt change in kilowatt-hour consumption.
An increase of 100% or more, or a decrease of 50% or more, compared to the average 12-month consumption immediately preceding the billing month in question.
Consumers must designate representative(s), at least two (2) common representatives per EMC frame, to witness readings; in their absence, the Barangay Chairman or appointed constituent serves as default witness. The DU must inform them at least two (2) days before the scheduled readings and may proceed if they fail to appear without justifiable reason.
Use basket trucks to hoist meter readers/consumer representatives or use high-resolution digital still/video cameras with zoom-in capabilities. If cameras are used, pictures showing meter registrations must be kept at least three (3) months; if readings are questioned, the DU must allow access to the relevant pictures.
The DU must immediately remove any wiring connection found tapped on the service drop wire without the consent of the concerned consumer; if such unauthorized connection resulted in a drastic increase in consumption, the DU bears the difference based on the average consumption of the consumer for the past six (6) months prior to discovery.
Conform with applicable minimum technical standards set by laws, rules, regulations including the Philippine Electrical Code; ensure utilization voltage within Philippine Distribution Code standards, adequate capacity and insulation of service drop wires, acceptable sag/clearances, correct billing if wiring errors occur, and good engineering design for EMC supporting structures.
They may file an application for refund not later than three (3) months from effectivity, with valid proof of purchase; refund amount is based on the actual amount reflected in the Official Receipt.
They take effect on the fifteenth (15th) day following publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.