Guiding Principles and Scope
- DUs must align installations and relocations with Republic Act No. 9136 and other relevant laws, rules, and technical standards set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
- Applicable to all DUs whose installations exceed height limits prescribed in the Magna Carta and the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR).
- Includes provisions on billing disputes related to the installation or relocation of meters.
Definitions of Key Terms
- Act: RA No. 9136, Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
- Billing Month: Period between two meter readings, 28 to 31 days apart.
- Distribution Utility (DU): Entities with exclusive distribution franchise under the Act.
- DSOAR: Distribution Services and Open Access Rules.
- Elevated Metering Center (EMC): Structures hosting a cluster of meters installed beyond prescribed mounting heights.
- EMC Service Drop: Wiring between EMC and old metering points or expected metering point.
- ERC: The regulatory agency overseeing electric power.
- Line Loss: Loss inherent in electrical delivery equipment.
- Magna Carta: Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers and its implementing guidelines.
- Other Elevated Service: Structures other than EMCs where meters are installed beyond prescribed heights.
- Service Drop: Overhead conductors from last pole to building service entrance.
General Criteria – Meter Location Requirements
- Per Magna Carta Article 11, meters must generally be located in clean, vibration-free, accessible, and visible places.
- Standard mounting height from standing surface is between 1.52m and 3m.
- Exceptions allowing elevated meter installations require justifiable reasons.
Permissible Circumstances for Elevated Meter Installation
- Non-availability of right-of-way despite DU efforts.
- Presence of informal settlers with no property rights causing illegal connections and meter vandalism.
- Areas with high incidences of illegal connections, meter vandalism, and tampering.
- Consumers adjudged as habitual pilferers.
- Consumer requests where at least 50% or 30 registered households support elevation, certified by local officials.
Proof and Approval Process for Elevated Metering
- DU must submit system loss reports attributing theft or vandalism before relocations.
- ERC must approve or reject within 15 days or application is deemed approved.
- High pilferage areas defined by exceeding allowable system loss caps based on metered consumption comparisons.
Cost Allocation for Installation and Relocation
- DUs bear costs for relocation to EMCs and service drops from EMC to old metering points for existing consumers.
- For consumer-requested elevations, costs of service drops shared equitably; DU may opt to shoulder full cost.
- Consumers may select vendors for materials compliant with technical standards.
- New consumers in EMC areas have costs borne by DUs for service drops to expected metering points.
- No additional charges beyond ERC-approved amounts.
Operating Procedures for Installation and Meter Reading
- Service drops limited to 130 meters unless Commission approval obtained.
- DU must maintain and inspect service drops regularly; unauthorized tapping removed immediately.
- Meter clustering limited to 30 meters per EMC frame; service drop bundles limited to 10 wires.
- Consumers or their representatives must be allowed to witness meter readings and testing.
- DU to conduct informational campaigns before clustering or elevation.
- Monthly meter reading required; abrupt consumption changes must be reported and investigated.
- Consumers in elevated services must have representatives witness readings; Barangay officials serve as defaults.
- Advance notice of meter reading dates required.
- Use of basket trucks or high-resolution cameras for meter readings mandated, with photographic records retained for 3 months.
- Meter reading cards to be issued monthly except when statements issued promptly.
- Barangay Chairmen furnished meter reading images unless waived.
- Timely processing of relocation and new connection requests without discrimination.
Technical Standards
- Compliance with Philippine Electrical Code and relevant regulations is mandatory.
- Voltage utilization must conform to specified limits.
- Service drops must have adequate capacity and insulation.
- Wire sagging and clearance must comply with DSOAR and Electrical Code.
- DUs to correct mistaken customer connections and adjust billing accordingly.
- EMC supporting structures must meet good engineering design standards.
Violations and Penalties
- Violations subject to penalties imposed by the ERC after due process.
Transitory Provisions
- Existing consumers who paid for relocation costs may apply for refunds within 3 months with proof of payment.
- Separability clause to uphold unaffected provisions if parts declared unconstitutional.
- Repealing clause maintains prior applicable provisions except as revised.
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication in a widely circulated newspaper.