Manila, Philippines — Many MERALCO customers have expressed outrage on the sudden increase of their electric bill for the month of April.
Some argued that they have not changed much in terms of consumption, with other pointing out the other charges and discounts subsidized from their bills.
MERALCO explained the generation charge increase, and that majority of the bill cover this particular charge. They also noted the increase in consumption especially during the hot weather.
Electricity subsidies and other charges have been in the billing for decades now, and the pass through charges for senior citizens and 4Ps beneficiaries are a government mandate for all utilities services.
Amid the complaints, Senator Bam Aquino sided with the consumers emphasizing that customers should not be the one shouldering the charges for electricity subdidies.
Aquino noted that since this is a government mandate, it should also be funded under the national budget.
Based on estimates, subsidy-related charges may add several centavos per kwh or approximately P20 to P100 in the monthly billing based on consumption.
With this, Aquino filed Senate Resolution No. 375 urging the Committee on Energy to look into the design, targeting, and financing of the subsidies.
He emphasized the importance of reviewing the collection system to ensure that the charged will not be an additional burden to the middle cass.
He explained that this aims to find alternative financing mechanis and ensure that this will not result to disproportionate electricity costs.
While Aquino understands the cause and goal of the Lifeline Rate charge for low-income households, he maintained that this should not be a burden that other consumers will carry.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News