Gatchalian pushes to scrap bill deposits, refund all power consumers

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1470, or the Anti-Bill Deposit Act, seeking to abolish the collection of bill deposits from electricity consumers and require their full refund with interest.

The measure directs the Energy Regulatory Commission to audit all bill deposit accounts and propose non-deposit-based payment options such as prepaid metering or staggered payments.

Gatchalian said the move aims to make electricity access fair and affordable without forcing consumers to pay security deposits.

“Masisiguro nating pantay-pantay at abot-kaya ang access ng lahat sa kuryente, nang hindi na kailangang magbayad ng deposito,” he also said.

Under SBN 1470, distribution utilities and electric cooperatives must refund all existing bill deposits with accrued interest, either in cash, check, or electronic transfer, unless consumers opt to credit them to future bills.IMT