Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) – Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is in a rush to finish its actual meter readings before the month ends as it has only read 65 percent of its customers’ meters so far.
Following the complaints of “shockingly high” electricity bills by customers, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered power distributors to conduct actual meter readings and issue a new bill based on the actual consumption.
“For the month of April, we were only able to read close to 2% of our customers’ bills, but for the month of May, with a couple of days to go before the months end, we have already read around 65% of our customers’ meters,” said Victor Genuino, Meralco’s first vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communications, during the Wednesday hearing of the House Committee on Energy.
Meralco admitted last week in a joint congressional hearing that only less than one percent of residential bills received in May were based on actual meter readings.
The ERC said that meter readings by Meralco have been ongoing since early May. However, meter readers were denied access in some areas due to the lockdowns.
“Meter readings have been ongoing since the early parts of May, except in areas na hindi sila makapasok (they cannot enter) because the local government units usually prevent them from going into different areas,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devenadera told the House Energy panel.
With this, the ERC recommended that smart meters could help power distributors read meters despite quarantine restrictions in some areas.
“If we have smart meters, they can be read remotely, kahit dun lang sa opisina nung distribution utility (even just from the office of the distribution facility),” said Devenadera.
She added that the regulatory agency has already approved applications of some power distributors for smart meters.
Moreover, ERC noted that Meralco has already committed to set aside guaranteed minimum billing demand and to charge industrial and commercial consumers based on their actual consumption.
READ: Meralco explains high electricity bills for May
