Power consumers in Davao City have expressed concern over higher electricity bills.

Some residents claimed their bills have nearly doubled despite minimal appliance use at home.

Other concerns raised were what consumers described as “add-on charges” in the bill, including subsidies, environmental fees, among others.

The Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) clarified that a significant portion of the bill consists of government-mandated pass-through charges, which are not retained by the distribution company.

Davao Light explained that these include subsidies for marginalized sectors such as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), particularly through lifeline rates.

“Mao ni nga mga subsidies nato nga ginahatag sa marginalized sector katong ginatawag nato nga anaa sa 4Ps kung molapas sila og 100 kilowatt bayran na gyud tong regular bill naa nay mga discount nga ginahatag kini nga mga subsidiya part ni siya sa atong gibayran nga kuryente. Ang nahitabo ani si Davao Light serves as collecting agent igo rami nikolekta ang gikolekta namo mao to’y ibayad namo sa gikuhaan natog kuryente sa gipaagian nato sa kuryente,” Davao Light Spokesperson, Fermin Edillon, said.

Davao Light also cited other components of the bill under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), including the universal charges covering the missionary electrification and environmental charges, as well as the Feed-in Tariff Allowance that promotes renewable energy development.

Additional pass-through charges include transmission and system loss charges and value-added tax.

Because of this, the Davao Consumer movement called for a review of the EPIRA Law as the accumulation of various charges has placed a heavier burden on consumers.

“Dugay na natong panawagan nga i-revisit sa government ang EPIRA Law nakaapekto gyud ni sa panginabuhi sa mga tao ilabi na pag-abot sa binulan nga balayrunon naa diay mga ingon aning charges. Ang ilahang hunahuna sa pagtukod sa balaod mahimong competitive ang energy sector magiyahay pabarato kuno ang nahitabo nagiyahay naman hinon og pataas,” Davao Consumer Movement Convenor, Ryan Amper, said.