MERALCO Urged By Lawmakers To Conver P19 Million Fine As Refund For Customers
MERALCO URGED TO REFUND CUSTOMERS – Recently, MERALCO has found itself on the hot seat as investigations into its “bill shock” continued.
During the start of the quarantine period, MERALCO shifted from meter readings to an averaging scheme for their bills. This caused several complaints from their customers as they saw a massive spike in their payments.
Because of this, the Electricity Regulatory Commission fined MERALCO with P19 million. However, the electricity distributor contested this and said they fully complied with the regulations.
Following this, Lawmakers have now urged MERALCO to instead convert their fine of P19 million as reimbursement for its customers. According to an article from CNN, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Meralco if they could instead grant a subsidy or a refund for its customers amid the COVID-19 crisis.
As a response, Meralco Utility Economics Head Larry Fernandez stated that they have yet to discuss the recommendation. Furthermore, he added that the company has continued ” suspending the implementation of the minimum billing demand for charges…because of the pandemic”.
As per the report, he said:
Since March this year, the amount equivalent to the suspension of distribution charges is equivalent to ₱ 2.7 billion already. On top of this, Meralco has been very aware on the need to look at the level of generation charges imposed on customers
Meanwhile, ERC lawyer Chiara Blanca noted that since it would be a government fine, Merlaco’s payment would be reverted to the National Treasury. As such, it would be up to the government to decide what to do with the money.
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Yes po,ma refund man lang ang mga pera ng consumers,walang meter reading,tapos singilin kami ng mataas.As a consumer,nagbabayad naman kami ng maayos at takot maputulan ng electric.Pero sana naman maging patas lang.Ilang months since lockdown,wala kami ginamit na aircon,electric stove(,bihira lng).Dahil walang nag stay na mga kids bahay.Dun sila sa mga jaanak nila.As in,bilang ang gamit ng electric.
Para maalis strss namin,irefund nio ang para sa amin.Masyado na kaming nagdurusa sa mga bills.Hindi fair,Opo,marapat lang po mag refund naman kayo taga MERALCO.maraming salamat sa unawa.