Consumer group wants comprehensive audit of Meralco's bill deposit charge

A consumer group said Saturday it wants the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Manila Electric Co.'s (Meralco) bill deposit charge.

United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) president Rodolfo Javellana said the group is preparing a letter to the ERC requesting for an audit of the bill deposit charge.

"Dapat magkaroon ng comprehensive audit dahil hindi po alam ng power consumers magkano talaga nakolekta na doon sa usapin ng bill deposit... at magkano ang interest na kinita nito sa bangko," Javellana said.

Sought for comment, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriga said the power utility has been very transparent in terms of how much is the amount of the total bill deposits.

"Customers are informed of how much their bill deposit is as well as the accrued interest," Zaldarriaga said in a text message.

"And then based on this updating, which is done every anniversary of your service, we will indicate whether you will need to top-up your bill deposit or you will enjoy a refund based on your average bill for the past 12 months," the Meralco spokesperson added.

Zaldarriaga said Meralco already has a mechanism in place and "customers at any time can ask us about the status of their deposit."

Bill deposit serves as a mechanism for distribution utilities and electric cooperatives as a security for unpaid bill, which is equivalent to one month's estimated consumption.

Javellana, however, said Meralco should not charge customers of bill deposits as the company already has a sufficient working capital to shoulder the cost of its operations.

"Hindi rin natin maintindihan ano ang pinanggalingan ng bill deposit na ito sinasabi nila nakalagay sa 2004 decision ng ERC," the consumer group chief said.

Zaldarriaga said the collection of bill deposit is based on the Chapter 3 Article 28 "Consumer Obligations" under the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. —ALG, GMA News