Following the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) decision allowing the Korean Electric Power Corporation-Salcon Power Corporation (Kepco-SPC) and the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ceneco) to collect P232 million from consumers, resulting in an expected 8¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate hike this month, Ceneco President Roy Cordova said the increase will be put on hold temporarily.

“The board will further review the order,” he explained.

In a letter, Cordova noted, “[The] ERC order does not specifically [direct] the exact date when to start the first payment.”

He went on to say, “Collections of the subject billing cycle will be realized [in] the following month, November 2017.”

Ceneco is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, October 17.

Earlier this week, Ceneco General Manager Sulpicio Lagarde, Jr. said to expect rate hikes this month, resulting from both the ERC decision and generation charge fluctuations.

Last month, Ceneco revealed the residential rate for September 2017 would be P10.0130/kWh. It was the first time rates were above P10/kWh since May 2017, when it was P10.5062/kwh./PLL, WDJ