Hontiveros opposes increase in electric bills

Sen. Risa Hontiveros insisted that no electricity surcharge should be imposed and that the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should stop it.

According to Hontiveros, as long as there is no clear explanation for the increase in electricity bills and no results from the investigation into the rotational brownouts that occurred in recent months, the power rate hike should not be implemented.

“Dapat ipatigil muna ang anumang dagdag-singil sa kuryente hangga’t walang klarong paliwanag ang ERC kung bakit patuloy na tumataas ang transmission charge na ipinapasa sa konsyumer,” said Hontiveros.

(Any electricity surcharge must be stopped until the ERC has a clear explanation as to why the transmission charge passed on to the consumer continues to increase.)

In previous Senate investigations, the agency ensured that there was no increase in transmission charges, Hontiveros said.

Manila Electric Co (Meralco) announced Monday that there would be an increase in electricity charges for August billing.

According to Meralco, the surcharge is P0.0965 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) due to the transmission charge.

It is equivalent to P19 more for households consuming 200 kwh, P29 for 300 kwh consumption, P39 for 400 kwh consumption, and P48 for 500 kwh consumption.

Hontiveros opposes increase in electric bills

This is the 5th consecutive month that there has been an increase in electricity bills.

Last week, Meralco announced it would suspend disconnection activities in Laguna from August 1 to 15 and the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20.

“Given the current situation, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times. Thus, we will again suspend all disconnection activities in NCR and Laguna to help ease the burden of our customers with the needed relief and additional time to settle their bills,” said Ferdinand Geluz, Meralco first vice president.

The power company added it would “continue to be very considerate” with customers in areas under GCQ.

The company urged customers to use its various digital platforms such as Meralco Online and Meralco App, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, call its 16211 hotlines, and book an appointment through the Online Customer Appointment (OCA) system before going to Meralco Business Centers (BCs).