Electric cooperatives affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda may seek help from the Energy Regulatory Commission and National Electrification Administration Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the ERC can authorize added capital expenditures for electric cooperatives.

They can also seek help from the NEA for lower interest rates and longer loan payment times. This should mean lower power rates for consumers, he said.

But Coloma also said a planned rate increase by the Manila Electric Co. would not affect areas hit by Yolanda.

He said Eastern Visayas, one of the worst-hit areas, is not under Meralco's coverage area.

Coloma also said that the Meralco rate hike has no effect on the Visayas or Mindanao because that is not in their franchise area.*PNA

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