Clean energy and consumer rights group Power for People Coalition has asked the Manila Electric Co. to explain the sudden jump in consumption reported by some consumers in their bills while at the same time suffering from more power interruptions during the enhanced community quarantine.
Meralco has suffered 52 tripping events since May 6, and some consumers meanwhile discovered increases in recorded consumption by as much as three times during the ECQ as tabulated in their bills.
“We cannot help but feel that Meralco is using the ECQ as a convenient scapegoat to cover up their shortcomings. While it is understandable that people at home will consume more electricity, it is incredible that consumption would increase three or four more times in just a month. And it is unbelievable that when malls, factories, offices, and other large electrical consumers are closed, Meralco’s grid is suddenly incapable of coping with the demand,” said P4P convenor Gerry Arances.
The energy consumer advocate called on the Energy Regulatory Board to investigate the matter as people continue to endure the enforced lockdown due to the ECQ. “People are already very stressed due to the ECQ. They are worried about their jobs, feeding their families, paying the rent, and paying for utilities. The least Meralco can do is deliver the service consumers overpaid for,” said Arances.
Under Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan Heal as One Act, payments for utilities and rent for residential units are suspended while the quarantine is in force.
“Even if these payments are suspended, people still have to make good of them after the quarantine. The problem is, not everyone will have a job after ECQ or be eligible for government assistance,” said Arances.
The advocate also brought up the matter of refunds that Meralco still has not made to consumers. “I would also like to remind Meralco of the refunds that it still owes consumers. Now is the opportune time, after correcting the bills, to waive the bills towards the satisfaction of their debt to the people they overcharged for decades,” said Arances.
