ERC directs MERALCO to clarify high bills

Increasing complaints against Manila Electric Railroad And Light Company (MERALCO) was investigated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), as many consumers experienced alleged issues of multiplying the electricity bill three times while in the middle of a pandemic.

“We’ve been bombarded with complaints on MERALCO’s alleged high billings covering the past three months, including this May,” ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera said in a statement last May 18.

“We need to look into these customers’ allegations [and] we required MERALCO to submit to us the date or information for us to validate the accuracy of their billing calculations,” she added.

MERALCO spokesperson Joe Zaldariagga stated, “We’ve been transparent from the start and communicated the same to consumers.” They immediately gave a statement and are ready to comply with the ERC’s order.

The electric company then uploaded a post on their official Facebook page containing an explanation on high billing charges.

Last July 20, MERALCO took a second action to meet the complaints of the consumers by releasing an infographic which explains the monthly installment plan to lighten the payments of the consumers in settling their respective bills during this pandemic. 

The installment plan is depending on the month of February 2020 in accordance with the May 2020 advisory. If the consumer’s electricity consumption is 200kWh and below last February 2020, the bill will be converted into six equal installments and four equal installments if it is 201kWh and above.

MERALCO is known for its mission to provide customers the best value in energy, products and services.

LAYOUT BY: Laiza Simeoune B. Sanchez

PHOTO SOURCE(S): Wikipedia, Daily Tribune and Meralco