Your Rights During Power Interruptions

Electricity consumers in the Philippines have rights set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), including the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. This page is a plain-language summary – it is general information, not legal advice, and the exact rules are on the ERC website.

Scheduled interruptions must be announced

Distribution utilities and electric cooperatives are expected to give customers advance notice of scheduled power interruptions – usually through their website, Facebook page, local radio and posted notices – stating the date, time, affected areas and reason. Keep a screenshot of the advisory if an interruption runs far longer than announced.

Report and keep a reference number

• Report every unscheduled brownout to your utility’s hotline, text line or official Facebook page and ask for a reference or ticket number.
• Note the date and the time the power went off and came back – the brownout history on your ZIP code page helps.
• For appliances damaged by a surge or voltage fluctuation, report it in writing quickly with photos and receipts.

If your complaint is not resolved

Escalate to the utility’s consumer welfare desk or management. If it is still not resolved, you can file a complaint with the Energy Regulatory Commission. For electric cooperatives you can also contact the National Electrification Administration. Government service complaints can go to the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline.

Rotational brownouts

When NGCP declares a Red Alert, utilities may cut power area by area to protect the grid. These manual load-dropping schedules are usually announced at short notice on the utility’s social media – watch the grid status banner on this site.