Re-electionist Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has lauded the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for refunding the excess electricity bill collections saying it is a welcome relief for power consumers amid the rising cost of goods and basic services.

The ERC had earlier issued an order to Meralco to return P7.8-billion overcharges in the next 12 months, entitling Meralco customers to a refund amounting to P0.47 per kilowatt hour (kWh) or equivalent to P93 for a residential consumer with 200 kWh monthly consumption.

“Given its mandate of protecting consumer interest as an independent electric power industry regulator, I laud the latest order issued by the ERC to Meralco,” Gatchalian said.

“The relief that will be enjoyed by consumers for a period of 12 months can make a difference especially to poor households,” he added.

The senator, likewise, commended Meralco for assuring its customers immediate compliance starting this month.

“It’s appropriate and timely and shows the company’s due regard to the interests of their consumers especially at a time when the cost of other basic commodities is increasing,” Gatchalian said.

“It’s appropriate and timely and shows the company’s due regard to the interests of their consumers especially at a time when the cost of other basic commodities is increasing,” he said.

The refund stemmed from ERC’s re-computation of Meralco’s regulatory asset base (RAB) for the period 2012 to 2015 which resulted in over-recoveries or excess collection for the said period.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy also noted that there are existing laws in place that would guarantee consumer welfare.

These include the Murang Kuryente Act, which he co-authored, and Republic Act No. 115521, which extended the lifeline rates for the poor until 2051, which he principally authored.

“Sa ilalim ng Murang Kuryente Act, nakakatipid tayo ng P1 per kilowatt hour at katumbas ito ng P200 kada buwan o apat hanggang limang kilo ng bigas (Under the Murang Kuryente Act, we are able to save P1 per kWh and this is equivalent to P200 per month or four to five kilos of rice),” he said.

On the other hand, the lifeline rate extension law continues to provide subsidies for the poorest of the poor.

“Dapat expired na ito ngayong taon pero na-extend natin ito for another 30 years para mabigyan sila ng dagdag na subsidiya (It should have been expired this year, but we were able to extend it for another 30 years so they can still enjoy additional subsidy),” Gatchalian explained.