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Politics

MERALCO FRANCHISE RENEWAL GETS HOUSE OK

The House of Representatives, voting 186-7 with four abstentions, approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 10926, renewing for another 25 years the franchise granted to the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), under Republic Act 9209.  RA 9209 granted Meralco a franchise to construct, operate and maintain a distribution system for the conveyance of […]

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Politics

HIGHER MERALCO REFUND IN ERC RESET — GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian said a resetting by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of the power distribution rate for key distribution utilities (DU), such as the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), could lead to a higher refund for consumers. The vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Energy made the statement following an estimate made by Meralco that […]

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Politics

CAYETANO: DEFER MERALCO’S CSP, CLARIFY RULES

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano filed a resolution to postpone the bidding for Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) 600-megawatt and 400-megawatt power supply requirements until its terms of reference (TOR) are reviewed to ensure fairness in the selection of bidders and arrive at the true lowest cost for the supply of energy. Cayetano introduced Senate Resolution 1090 […]

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Politics

SOLON SLAMS MERALCO FOR P15 ONLINE PAYMENT CHARGE

Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel, vice chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, has berated Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for imposing a “convenience fee” of P15 per transaction on customers who pay their monthly electricity bills using the company’s online portal. “Meralco is nickel-and-diming its 7.9 million customers with the extra charge on […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN COMMENDS ERC FOR MERALCO REFUND

Senator Win Gatchalian commended the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for ordering Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to refund its customers P21.8 billion equivalent to 87 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This means that for a typical household that consumes 200 kWh a month, there will be a P174 refund in the electricity bill beginning this month. “It […]

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Politics

ERC, MERALCO TO REFUND CUSTOMERS – GATCHALIAN

A welcome relief amid the rising cost of living was how Senator Win Gatchalian viewed the P7.8 billion refund in electricity bills ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for overcharges. “Given its mandate of protecting consumer interest as an independent electric power industry regulator, I laud the latest […]

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Politics

HONTIVEROS TO ERC: SUSPEND MERALCO RATE HIKE

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to suspend an increase in power rates while the investigation on rotational blackouts is still ongoing, saying that this particular rate adjustment is ‘inconsiderate’ of the consumers. “Hangga’t walang napapanagot sa nangyaring rotational blackouts, hindi dapat na magdagdag-singil pa sa kuryente. Unfair naman ito sa konsyumer […]

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Politics

EXTEND MERALCO PAYMENTS AMID COVID – HONTIVEROS

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged power distributor giant Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) to extend its installment-based payment scheme for consumers, warning that stricter payment policies might lead to a “disconnected nation” that will make life harder for poor families and derail efforts to revive the economy. “Hindi maganda na ngayong 2021, maliban sa COVID-19 ay magkaroon […]

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Politics

ERC PENALTY ON MERALCO A WARNING ON OTHER ERRING DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES – GATCHALIAN

While Senator Win Gatchalian commended the swift action taken by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) against the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), he warns other distribution utilities (DUs) that may have committed similar lapses such as failure to properly inform their subscribers about the charges. The ERC recently issued a decision ordering Meralco to pay P19M […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN TO ERC: PENALIZE DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES THAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH ADVISORY AMID QUARANTINE

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to penalize distribution utilities (DUs) that fail to comply with its advisories and directives aimed at alleviating the financial difficulties of Filipino power consumers given strict quarantine measures. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, grilled ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera over the actions that […]