MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 12, 2013) – A Filipino media group called Alab ng Mamamahayag has criticized the a new hike in electricity bill in Manila, saying the Manila Electric Company has yet to refund to power consumers millions of pesos in excess collections.
ALAM Chairman Jerry Yap said: “Puro pahirap at kalbaryo ang ibinibigay sa atin ng Meralco. Bago sana sila magtaas ng singil, isoli muna nila ang sobrang singil nila noon.”
He said Meralco will charge an additional 27 centavos per kilowatt hour or 22% increase per P1.4917 for every kilowatt hour starting April after the Energy Regulatory Commission approved Meralco’s request of additional fees on utility distribution.
“Pangit ang tiyempo ng pagtataas nila ng distribution charge. Kung kelan tag-init na kailangang bukas lahat ng electric fan at air conditioners maghapon at magdamag, saka pa sila magtataas ng singil. Hindi bale yung mayayaman na may pambayad. Paano naman ang mahihirap na inaagaw lamang sa pambili ng pagkain ang ibinabayad sa kuryente? Magtitiis na lamang sa pamaypay?” asked Yap.
He also urged the lawmakers to do something to withdraw the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. “Ang pagbawi sa EPIRA law ang unang hakbang upang bumaba ang presyo ng kuryente sa bansa,” Yap said.
EPIRA contained the legal framework of the privatization of the National Power Corporation and the deregulation of the power industry. It promised that electricity bills will lessen but became the result of it was the opposite.
Yap said since the EPIRA was not able to perform its purpose the law should be trashed. The Philippines pays the second highest electricity bills in Asia , second only to Japan. (Nanet Villafania)
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