Zamboanga city: The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) has announced a three-month suspension of its power disconnection activities. This decision comes as a relief measure for consumers in the wake of the ongoing fuel crisis.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Liezel Lacastesantos, who heads Zamcelco's Institutional Services Department, stated that the suspension aligns with a nationwide directive from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The ERC's advisory mandates that electric distribution utilities, including Zamcelco, halt disconnection operations temporarily.

Lacastesantos clarified that the ERC's order applies to electric bills covering the period from May to July for both residential and non-residential consumers. The goal of this suspension is to provide relief to consumers facing the financial strain caused by sustained increases in petroleum product prices, a situation exacerbated by the Middle East crisis.

Typically, Zamcelco disconnects power for members who fail to pay their bills within two days of the due date. Despite the current suspension, Lacastesantos encouraged member-consumers to continue paying their electric bills promptly.

Zamcelco services approximately 130,000 member-consumers across 90 of Zamboanga City's 98 barangays, while the remaining areas are served by the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative.