The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for a full explanation on how they computed consumer bills over the past three months during quarantine after receiving numbers of consumer complaints.
According to ERC chair Agnes Devanadera, many have complained about the alleged high billings of the distribution giant and are urged to investigate these allegations.
“[W]e required Meralco to submit to us data or information for us to validate the accuracy of their billing calculations,” Devanadera said.
Meralco said that since electric meter reading could not be done due to the ECQ in March and April, customers were billed based on their average consumption in the preceding months with cooler weather.
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The complaints came after consumers received their bills for the month of May. Power for People Coalition (P4P), a clean energy and consumer rights group, claimed that “it is incredible that consumption would increase 3 or 4 more times in just a month.”
Senator Grace Poe also asked Meralco to stop collecting fees if the matter has not yet been investigated and until it comes with a final and accurate billing. She noted that the latest bill leaves more of a burden to households already “reeling from the COVID-19 backlash.”
Bayan Muna partylist has also filed a resolution to probe the sudden surge in rates.
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Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga stated that the hot weather could have contributed to the lengthened use of appliances and gadgets. He also added that the May bill is already a result of “the actual kWh consumption from the current meter reading, with adjustments already reflected from the previous estimated consumption.”
To address customer complaints, Zaldarriaga said unpaid bills with due dates from March 15 to May 1 can be paid over installments equally for the next four months.
Despite Zaldarriaga’s explanations, P4P calls for more transparency from Meralco as the company has not yet given details on how there can be a surge of almost four times the previous bill. The company said that they are ready to field all questions from the ERC.
Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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Writer: THEA TORRES
