ERC fines Meralco P19M for ‘bill shock’ incident
MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday said it slapped a fine of P19 million against Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for the power distribution giant’s “failure to clearly indicate” that consumers’ monthly bills were estimated as well as failure to comply with the ERC’s mandate to allow customers to pay in installments.
The ERC said in a statement that, considering these failures, Meralco violated the directives that the regulator issued during community quarantine starting in March up to July.
“Meralco’s neglect to provide accurate and timely information especially during this time of pandemic has created chaos and confusion to most of the electricity consuming public,” ERC chair Agnes Devanadera said.
“The (ERC) issued the relevant advisories with the intention of alleviating the financial burden of the electricity consumers who were mostly adversely affected by the community quarantine measures implemented by the government,” Devanadera said. “This serious neglect by Meralco resulted in a multitude of complaints filed by its consumers to this Commission.”
Meralco officials said the company has not yet received a copy of the ERC decision that imposes the penalty.
“We will study the Order and we will file the appropriate pleading after consultation with our lawyers,” Jose Ronald Valles, head of Meralco’s regulatory management office, said in a statement.
