A group of consumers on Tuesday complained about the increase in electricity bills in the country.
In protest, members of the Kuryente.org group tore up various electricity bills, including those in Meralco and other provinces.
“Kaming maliit [na negosyante] dapat nakakatipid ng kuryente. Imbes na mapunta sa profit, napupunta lang sa bill,” said Rudyard Balmedilla, representative of the entrepreneurs in the group.
“‘Di na po talaga sapat ang kita sa daily wage para bayaran ang electricity,” said Nicka Asuncion, her family’s breadwinner.
Kuryente.org urged the candidates in this election to take action on the power supply and lower the bill.
“Less than a month before the elections, uncertain pa rin kung may stable na supply ng kuryente. We are not here to endorse anyone, we just want to be the voice of the voiceless,” said Nic Satur Jr., national coordinator of the group.
On Monday, Meralco announced a P0.54 per kilowatt-hour surcharge for April billing.
More than P1 per kilowatt-hour should be added, but the company was allowed to install it until July.
The Laban Konsyumer group questioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for allegedly allowing Meralco’s large surcharge despite their call to investigate and audit it first.
The April bill, for example, has P1.2 billion postponed and will be passed on to consumers in stages until July.
Group protests against increase in electric bill
According to ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera: “Kami ay natutuwa dahil itong mga power plant owner… ay magsasakripisyo na ide-defer ang ibang charge.”
But even little by little, there will be added to the subsequent monthly bills.
Meralco’s customers have their strategy to save on electricity.
Some entrepreneurs are also concerned about its impact on their businesses.
At Conrad Bayno’s laundry shop, they are looking for other ways to save.
The costs of water, electricity and LPG are compounded.
They had earlier raised five pesos per kilo of washed clothes since the price of the LPG they use in the dryer kicked in.
If there is an increase in electricity bills, a rollback in petroleum products is expected this week.
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