METHODOLOGY & TIMELINE OF METER DEPOSIT REFUND
Reference: ERC Resolution No. 08, S. 2008 – A resolution adopting the Rules to Govern the Refund of Meter Deposits to Residential & Non-residential Customers
I. GENERAL POLICIES
- Only registered consumers, their heirs, their successors-in-interest or their duly authorized representatives shall be allowed to receive the refund on meter deposits.
- The amount of the refund shall be based on the customers’ copy of the Official Receipt of meter deposit. In the absence thereof, the customer shall execute an Affidavit attesting to the loss of the said customers’ copy. The utility’s copy or any other record thereof, including electronic copies, shall be used as basis for the refund.
- The amount of the refund shall include the principal meter deposit and interests accruing thereto which shall be ten percent (10%) under Section 22 of ERB Resolution 95-21.
- The total interest earned shall be computed from the time the customers paid the meter deposit until the day prior to the start of the refund period.
- If the registered customer is deceased, his legal heirs shall receive the amount of the refund in proportion to their respective shares to the estate of the deceased registered customer unless a waiver has been executed in favor of one (1) heir. All legal heirs must sign the application for refund, unless there is a waiver.
- In the event of exclusion of any or several heirs, the application signed by the persons representing to be the sole heirs of the deceased registered customer shall exempt the utility concerned from any further liability on the amount of deposits and interest covered by such application for refund, provided that such refund was actually paid by the utility concerned to all heirs who signed such application for refund.
II. TIMELINE OF REFUND ON METER DEPOSITS
The refund of meter deposits shall be made under the following phases:
PHASE YEAR DEPOSITED REFUND PERIOD
I 2001 January 2, 2009 – February 29, 2009
II 2002 March 1, 2009 – August 31, 2009
III 2003 January 2, 2010 – June 30, 2010
IV 2004 July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010
V 2005 January 2, 2011 – June 30, 2011
VI 2006 July 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011
Note: Year 2000 and below had no meter deposit because PPUD (BLCI predecessor) practiced by allowing the registered customer to buy his/her own electric meter, thus not included in the meter deposit refund.
III. METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURES FOR REFUND
The following procedures shall govern in the refund of meter deposits:
1. A formal application must be filed by the registered customer, his heirs, his successors-in-interest, or their duly authorized representatives. The mode of refund shall likewise be indicated therein and it shall be mutually agreed between the DU and the registered customer or his authorized representatives.
2. The mode of refund shall be in check, credit to customers’ future monthly billings or as offset to other due and demandable claims BLCI may have against the Customer, at the option of the customers.
3. The application must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:
3.1 For applicants who are registered customers:
· Any valid identification card, including but not limited to the following:
o Driver’s license
o Passport
o Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) License
o SSS/GSIS/TIN ID
o PhilHealth ID
o Senior’s Citizen ID
o Postal ID
o Original NBI Clearance
o Credit Card
3.2 For applicants who are the heirs or successors-in-interest of the registered customers:
· The application must be signed by heir/s instituted in the deceased registered customer’s will, all legal heirs, successors-in-interest or the duly authorized representative of the said heirs or successors-in-interest.
· Any valid identification card, including but not limited to the following:
o Driver’s license
o Passport
o Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) License
o SSS/GSIS/TIN
o PhilHealth ID
o Senior’s Citizen ID
o Postal ID
o Original NBI Clearance
o Credit Card
· Death certificate or proof of death of the registered customer
· The heir/s of the customer must present proof of filiations or any pertinent document that will prove the succession right to the registered customer, such as but not limited to the birth certificates of the heirs and their ascendants, or marriage certificate.
· The successors-in-interest to the registered customer must present proof of transfer of rights and obligations over the property, including the meter deposit, from the registered customer who was the previous owner of the property, such as but not limited to the Deed of Sale
· Undertaking that there are no other legal heirs of the registered customer.
3.3 For applicants who are the duly authorized representatives of the registered customers
· Any valid identification card, including but not limited to the following:
o Driver’s license
o Passport
o Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) License
o SSS/GSIS/TIN
o PhilHealth ID
o Senior’s Citizen ID
o Postal ID
o Original NBI Clearance
o Credit Card
· The duly authorized representative of the registered customers must submit a Special Power of Attorney form the registered customer stating that he/she is authorized to receive the refund in behalf of the registered customer.
4. The distribution utility shall process the aforementioned application.
5. After approval of the refund by the distribution utility, the latter shall notify the applicant, in writing or any from of communication (phone, SMS) that his application was granted.
6. In case of denial, the applicant shall likewise be notified, in writing or any form of communication, stating therein the reasons for the denial of said application.
IV. OTHER PROVISIONS
1. Audit of Refund – The refund of the Meter Deposit including its implementation shall be subject to audit by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) or such person or entity the ERC may authorize.
2. Exceptions to the Refund of Meter Deposits – In the event the meter facilities of the Customer were replaced by the Distribution Utility (DU) due to damage or destruction attributable to the customer, the DU may claim or offset the cost of the replaced meter against the amount of refund due to said customer. Provided, that the DU gave notice to the affected Customer of its claim against the Meter Deposit within thirty (30) days from the replacement of the meter facilities or that the Customer had issued an acknowledgement of his accountability for the replaced meter facilities.
3. Unclaimed Meter Deposit – Upon the prescription of the period of refund, all unclaimed Meter Deposits including all appropriate accrued interests shall be deposited in an escrow account in a bank and the State, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), and shall be notified of such deposit, copy furnished the ERC.
If the unclaimed Meter Deposit has been in escrow, the concerned customer shall, within ten (10) years from the deposit thereof, claim the same from the bank where the escrow account is maintained. Otherwise, the State, through the OSG, shall initiate escheat proceedings in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) where the bank is located, and thereafter, declare the unclaimed Meter Deposit, after due notice and hearing, escheated in favor of the State.
