Residents in provinces complain of higher electricity, water bills

Residents in the provinces complained of their higher electricity and water bills as the country experiences the summer season amid the community quarantine.

According to a 24 Oras Online Exclusive by JP Soriano on Saturday, Shaila from Bolinao, Pangasinan was surprised when her electric bill went up to more than P23,000 for the months of April and May, when she usually only pays P6,000 per month.

Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative Inc. (PANELCO I) however explained that the bill was an average, where the April billing was based on January to March 2020 consumption in accordance with the Energy Regulatory Commission's order to all electric cooperatives in the country.

The May billing meanwhile was based on the actual meter reading.

PANELCO I said billings might be higher due to higher temperatures, and with many consumers at their homes due to the community quarantine.

PANELCO I added that electricity prices were usually higher during the dry season when hydroelectric power plants were non-operational.

However, Shaila was not convinced with the explanation.

"Taon-taon mainit. Eh noong wala namang ECQ noon ganoon pa rin 'yung bill namin eh, ngayong lang ECQ tumaas. Eh wala naman kaming umuwing kamag-anak dito," Shaila said.

"Ang bigat-bigat siyempre," Shaila said regarding her electricity bills.

Residents in Camarines Sur also complained of high electricity bill charges. Vladimir, a consumer member, was charged more than P16,000.

"Noong nagbigay sila ng bill after hindi mag-reading noong past months, paglabas 'yung actual na babayaran namin na P12,000 tapos meron pang P4,000," Vladimir said.

The Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative III insisted there were no problems with Vladimir's charges.

CASURECO III said Vladimir's bills were based on November 2019 to February 2020 billings.

"In-add natin 'yun, dinivide sa tatlo, ang kinalabasan po ay 365 kilowatts, that is P4,384.34. Noong nag-actual reading tayo for the month of April, 'yung kilowatt-hour consumption niya umabot po ng 990 kilowatts," a CASURECO III representative said.

Neither was Vladimir convinced with the clarification, but said he could do nothing but pay to avoid their power getting cut off.

"Konti lang talaga kami ngayon sa bahay, hindi rin katulad ng mga ibang bakasyon na limang pamilya na halos nandito. Binayaran kasi puputulan ka rin eh," Vladimir said.

Naga residents also complained of their high water bills.

A male Naga resident had a P4,238 bill this May.

"'Pag sinumatotal mo lahat ng monthly bill ko, konsumo ko na ito ng mahigit isang taon dapat. Less than P300 or P300 plus lang ang monthly bill ko," the male resident said.

The Metropolitan Naga Water District will investigate the matter.

However, they promised there was no service charge or increase in the charges this May.

"'Pag duda kayo na hindi tama, pumunta lang po dito sa opisina para makita natin 'yung record," an Metropolitan Naga Water District executive said. — Jamil Santos/DVM, GMA News