Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday warned the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and other distribution utilities (DUs) against replicating the unexplained surge in the monthly electricity bills of energy consumers now that the government imposed another modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other provinces which are considered COVID-19 hotspots.

Gatchalian said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), as the government’s supervisory body in the power sector, should ensure that consumers’ interest and their rights are protected.

“We’re at it again. Metro Manila and nearby areas are now back to MECQ. Meter readings may not be possible due to the lockdown period. Add to this is the possibility that a number of affected consumers may appeal anew for deferred or extension of payment in their monthly bills,” Gatchalian said.

“The consumers cannot afford another round of bill shock in their electricity bills,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said.

The Senate had earlier investigated the electricity bill shock experienced by many electricity consumers as Meralco faced rampant complaints over the unexplained surge in the monthly electricity bills at the height of the enhanced community quarantine.

Gatchalian noted that many people were astounded at Meralco’s overestimation and underestimation of the previous monthly bills and admitted they encountered problems in the computation of billing statements during the ECQ and MECQ period.

“Baka magkaproblema na naman sa computation ng darating nilang billing statement ngayong MECQ. Yung iba, dapat may refund pa, (They might encounter another problem on the computation in the billing statement now we under another MECQ. The others are still waiting for a refund),” he said.

Gatchalian said he hopes that the ERC will issue another directive to all DUs and remind them to ease the burden of affected consumers.

He said the ERC and the Department of Energy (DOE) should immediately issue corresponding directives applicable to all areas in the country in whatever classification of community quarantine they are in.

The ERC had issued several advisories deferring payment of electricity bills falling due within the ECQ, without interests, penalties, fees, and other charges. One is the April 15 advisory covering the period March 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020 and the May 5 advisory extending the deferment period until May 15, 2020.

“Just like the time when the Luzon-wide ECQ was extended, the ERC undertook measures that somehow eased the burden of affected consumers by directing all distribution utilities (DUs) in the country such as Meralco to allow a staggered payment scheme,” he said.

“We’re hoping to hear a similar directive in the days to come. Dapat natuto na tayo sa naging karanasan natin sa ilalim ng ECQ at MECQ noon. (We should have learned our lesson when we were under the ECQ and MECQ),” Gatchalian said.