Neighbor’s Unpaid Electricity Bills Became a Burden for a Lady Resident in Tanza, Cavite
TANZA, CAVITE – A lady resident claims that she ended up paying her neighbor’s unpaid electricity bills to have their electric service restored.
In 2018, the household of Resty Lopez in Tanza, Cavite, experienced a power cut by Meralco, the electric company. It took them two years to settle the pending bill amounting to P8,000.
However, instead of simply reconnecting their electricity, Meralco also allegedly required Lopez’s family to settle the pending bills of their neighbors. She had to pay these bills to get her electricity back.
“Sa kagustuhan ko nga po na makabitan kami, binayaran ko po yung dalawang putol. Eh, nu’ng inaayos po namin, wala pang isang linggo may naputulan na naman na isa. Eh, P20,000 na po ‘yung bill nila. Hindi ko na po kayang sagutin,” said Lopez.
Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga stated that Lopez’s responsibility only extends to her own account, and she is not obliged to pay the pending bills of her neighbors because they don’t have such a policy.
“Ang responsibility lang niya ay doon sa kanyang sariling account. Ang nangyari kasi rito, nagkaroon ng komplikasyon yung kanilang account. Maraming na-disconnect at hindi rin nagsettle agad ng kanilang arrears so pagka ganyan kasi talagang there is a process that has to be looked into,” Zaldarriaga explained.
Zaldarriaga also emphasized the importance of following the correct process. Once the requirements are completed, electricity service can be restored immediately.
“Kung merong previous issues, ma-resolve yung previous issues na ‘yun at once yung two conditions na ‘yun are met then definitely, kamukha dito sa kaso nila nanay ay naibalik, nanumbalik yung serbisyo nila ng kuryente,” Zaldarriaga added.
In a previous post, a resident in Sagay City appeals for help regarding staggering electricity bill
Currently, the Lopez family has their electricity reconnected. Lopez expressed gratitude because her complaint was promptly addressed.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako… Kung hindi pa po ako lumapit sa inyo hindi pa ako maaaksyunan. Salamat po talaga ng marami,” Lopez said.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
