Negros Power Assures Fairness in Annual Bill Deposit Review

Negros Electric and Power Corporation (Negros Power) will conduct its annual Bill Deposit Review. It is reminding customers that this process review is a regulatory requirement mandated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that every customer’s Bill Deposit remains fair and aligned with actual electricity consumption.

The Annual Bill Deposit Review by Negros Power

The annual bill deposit review is required under the Amended Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, particularly ERC Resolution No. 3, Series of 2026. This requires distribution utilities to evaluate customers’ Bill Deposits based on their average monthly electricity bill over the last 12 months.

What is a Bill Deposit?

A Bill Deposit serves as a security deposit for an electric service account and is intended to be approximately equal to one month’s average electricity bill.

During the annual review, customers whose existing Bill Deposit is less than 90% of their average monthly electricity bill will have the difference added to their electric bill in the service anniversary month. It is the same month their electric service was first connected—to bring the deposit in line with their actual electricity consumption.

Meanwhile, customers whose existing Bill Deposit exceeds 110% of their average monthly electricity bill will automatically receive a refund as credit for the excess amount during their service anniversary month.

How to Compute

For example, a customer with an average monthly bill of ₱5,000 and an existing Bill Deposit of ₱2,000 will see an additional ₱3,000 reflected in the electric bill. On the other hand, a customer with an average monthly bill of ₱4,000 but an existing Bill Deposit of ₱6,000 will automatically receive a ₱2,000 refund through a bill credit.

Atty. Lyana Paula Tomulto, Legal Officer of Negros Power, emphasized that the annual Bill Deposit review is not optional but is a legal requirement imposed on all distribution utilities under the ERC rules.

“The annual Bill Deposit review is not a discretionary action on the part of Negros Power. It is a regulatory requirement mandated under the Amended Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, specifically ERC Resolution No. 3, Series of 2026. The purpose of this annual assessment is to ensure that every customer’s Bill Deposit remains fair, reasonable, and proportionate to their actual electricity consumption based on the preceding 12 months of usage,” Tomulto said.

She added that the regulation also provides safeguards to protect consumers by ensuring that only the necessary adjustments are made.

“The guidelines likewise provide safeguards for consumers. If the existing Bill Deposit is lower than the prescribed amount, only the corresponding adjustment is collected. Conversely, if the Bill Deposit exceeds the allowable threshold, the excess amount is automatically credited back to the customer. This framework protects consumers while ensuring that distribution utilities remain compliant with the standards prescribed by the Energy Regulatory Commission,” she added.

Automatic Bill Adjustments

Negros Power also clarified that customers do not need to file any request or application, as the annual review and corresponding adjustments are implemented automatically in accordance with ERC regulations.

The distribution utility further explained that the five-month installment plan applies only to Bill Deposit adjustments resulting from the annual review. It does not apply to Bill Deposits required for new service applications or the reconnection of previously disconnected accounts.

Negros Power encouraged customers to read the Bill Deposit Advisory and to contact its Customer Care team. Or, they can send a message through its official Facebook page for any questions or clarification regarding the annual Bill Deposit review.