President Marcos on Tuesday directed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to look into the possible suspension of electricity bill payments in areas heavily impacted by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Kristine’ in a bid to hasten the recovery of affected Filipinos, the Presidential Communications Office said.
The presidential directive came as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 161 areas across seven regions are now under states of calamity, while the death toll from ‘Kristine’ has risen to 125 individuals.
In his order, Mr. Marcos tasked the ERC to consider suspending electricity disconnections and payment collections from October to December 2024 in areas declared under a state of calamity.
The chief executive also suggested allowing staggered payments to ease the burden on affected households and businesses.
“To aid in recovery efforts, the President directed the ERC to study the immediate implementation of a moratorium on electricity line disconnection and payment collection for the period October to December 2024 in areas under State of Calamity due to STS Kristine, and staggered payments of electricity for the said months, as necessary,” the PCO statement read.
As this developed, more roads and bridges affected by ‘Kristine’ are now accessible to motorists following the clearing operations ordered by the President, the PCO also said citing the latest NDRRMC report.
On Tuesday, the NDRRMC said 86.87 percent, or 86 out of 99 affected road sections, are now passable to all types of vehicles, helping restore normalcy in the communities affected by the storm.
The cleared roads also facilitated easier transport for the government’s ongoing relief efforts.
Moreover, power has been restored in 64.7 percent or 228 of 352 cities and municipalities that were earlier rendered powerless by the weather disturbance, the disaster agency added.
However, despite the hurried clearing and restoration efforts, the NDRRMC said that 225 communities in 13 regions remain under deep floodwater, while 263 roads and 41 bridges are still impassable.
Agricultural damage has climbed to 2.8 billion pesos, while infrastructure damage has reached 1.5 billion pesos, according to the disaster agency’s current estimates.
‘Kristine’ ravaged parts of the country last week, causing widespread flooding and damage, especially in Southern Luzon, where several communities remain submerged.
The Bicol Region was hardest hit, with some 632,000 families, or around 2.7 million individuals, reeling from the storm’s after-effects.
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