Meralco customers seek an explanation for shockingly-high May bills

Customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) complained that their bills had substantially increased during the month of May, according to a 24 Oras report by Sandra Aguinaldo.

When several establishments opened up on Monday morning amid the loosened quarantine protocols, Quezon City residents started visiting their Meralco branches to ask about their high electricity bill.

Richard Fillomeno said he was worried that he might not be able to pay their bill because it was higher than the usual.

“Akin pong iko-complain kung bakit ganiyan kalaki. Parang ‘di po tama ‘yan kasi nagbi-bill lang kami ng P2,000 mahigit tapos ngayon, naging P13,000,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maribel Felizardo said she was willing to pay the high bill if Meralco could explain the reason behind it.

“Kasi nag-reduce pa nga po kami ng gamit instead na electric fan na malalaki ang gamit, bumili kami ng clip fan kasi matipid po ‘yon, ‘yon ‘yong maliit na electric fan,” she said.

Meanwhile, Meralco assured its customers that it would not disconnect anyone during the quarantine.

“Wala naman kaming gagawing anumang disconnection ngayong panahon ng ECQ,” Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said.

Earlier, Meralco also explained that the latest bills reflected the full impact of the enhanced community quarantine, while the previous months were based on average consumption.

Zaldarriaga said the March and April bills were based on the previous three months consumption before the ECQ, when consumption was lower.

“‘Yong estimated based on the rule we followed ay mababa. Hindi na-capture ‘yong actual consumption kaya pumunta ‘yong dapat ‘yon sana eh pumasok at nabasa doon sa March at April doon sa May bill kaya ‘yon ‘yong lumaki sobra ‘yong sa pananaw nila,” he said.

“But actually, if we will really look into it very closely, that is already the actual consumption that has been consumed for three months,” Zaldarriaga added. — DVM, GMA News