Family's power connection cut off since pandemic, receives P134,000-bill

The power connection of a family living in Tondo, Manila has been cut off since the pandemic for their failure to pay their bill, but they are currently being charged with more than P134,000 by the electric distribution utility company, Raffy Tima reported on "24 Oras."

Mariz Acebron, who lives in at the Gawad Kalinga Village in Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila posted about her situation on the "24 Oras" Facebook.

Mariz said that their electricity has been cut off since the pandemic because they could not pay their power bill of P9,000.

She currently manages her household with the help of a relative, who lives next door and who gave them access to their power supply so she can use some lights and a small electric fan.

Mariz said she was shocked when a Meralco bill came in August last year.

“Binigay ng kapitbahay namin, Mariz may bill kayo. Sabi ko paano kami magkaka-bill e matagal nang putol yung kuryente, since pa noong pandemic, tapos tiningnan ko 24,000,” she said.

She immediately went to the power utility distribution company, Meralco, who promised to fix the problem.

“Nag-antay naman po ako ng email, wala naman po akong natanggap. Tapos ang ano, sabi niya iche-check daw aayusin, akala ko naman po, okay na ho,” Mariz said.

However, another bill arrived four months after her visit to the company. This time the bill costs 134,224 pesos.

“‘Yung 9,000 nga po na ano hindi po namin mabayaran lalo na po ito anlaki, napakalaki,” Mariz said.

Mariz is wondering how come her bill showed that the electricity in her house has been reconnected since August 2023. She has not been using the power connection to her house and the amount of consumption as reflected in the bill is just too high.

“Yung metro po namin baka nilipat sa ibang site tapos ginamit po. Kasi kung wala na po, dapat wala na kaming matatanggap tulad sa kapitbahay namin taon na rin siyang walang kuryente wala naman siyang natatanggap, kami po ang bukod tanging nakatanggap po na ganitong bill, 134,000,” Mariz noted.

Raffy Tima reported that the concern of Mariz has been forwarded to Meralco.

Based on the initial investigation of the company, the line has been reconnected. Still, a thorough investigation is needed to find out how this happened.

Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco, Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications, said in a statement “Makakaasa kayo na masusing iimbestigahan ng Meralco ang ipinaabot na reklamo. Makikipag-tulungan din ang Meralco sa customer upang maisayos ang kanilang billing at maibalik ang serbisyo ng kuryente.” — Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News