Duterte alarmed by high power rates; ERC to probe consumers’ ‘bill shock’

By Argyll Geducos – Updated June 25, 2020, 6:08 PM
from Manila Bulletin

Malacañang said President Duterte was alarmed by “bill shock” experienced by consumers of Meralco following the period of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), particularly in Metro Manila.

Harry Roque (ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the complaints of Meralco consumers over the high electricity bill they have received.

In his Thursday press briefing, Roque said President Duterte was bothered after hearing about the complaints.

“Nakarating na po ‘yan kay Presidente at siyempre naabala siya (The President already heard about it and of course he was alarmed),” he said.

“Sa panahon ng pandemya, hindi naman dapat bigyan ng additional pahirap na hindi naman kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan (We shouldn’t be giving the people unnecessary additional burden especially while there is a pandemic),” he added.

Roque said this was the reason why the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued a show-cause order on Meralco for allegedly violating directives regarding the payment of electricity bills.

The ERC has also given Meralco 10 days to explain why it should not be penalized.

Roque said he will follow up with the ERC about its decision on Meralco.

Meralco had said that the bills consumers received were fairly calculated with meter reading activities remaining accurate and transparent.

The company said the bill received in May may be significantly steeper compared to those from the past months since the March and April bills were estimated based on the average daily consumption from December 2019 to February 2020.

Meralco has allowed its customers to settle their bills in an installment period of four months.