Gatchalian warned Meralco against the surge in electricity bill
Senator Win Gatchalian, amid the modified enhanced community quarantine, warned Meralco and other distribution utilities against the unexplained surge in electricity bill.
On Wednesday, the lawmaker said that government’s supervisory body in the power sector Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should protect the rights of the consumers as well as ensure their interests.
“Meter readings may not be possible due to the lockdown period. Add to this is the possibility that a number of affected consumers may appeal anew for deferred or extension of payment in their monthly bills,” the Senator said, based on the report from the Manila Bulletin.
He added that the consumers could not take another shocking scenario upon receiving the electricity bill. To recall, after the enhanced community quarantine, several consumers aired their complaints against Meralco.
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Gatchalian said that the previous monthly bill overestimation and underestimation of the power company brought shock to many consumers. Meralco admitted that during the period of ECQ and MECQ, they encountered problems in the computation.
“Baka magkaproblema na naman sa computation ng darating nilang billing statement ngayong MECQ. Yung iba, dapat may refund pa,” the lawmaker stressed.
The Senator is also expecting that the ERC, along with the Department of Energy will issue a directive again to protect the consumers from the surge in electricity bill amid the MECQ.
“Just like the time when the Luzon-wide ECQ was extended, the ERC undertook measures that somehow eased the burden of affected consumers by directing all distribution utilities (DUs) in the country such as Meralco to allow a staggered payment scheme,” he said.
He added that people should have learned from that past situation.
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