GUAGUA, Pampanga -- The recent reported surge in the billing statements of power consumers under the Pampanga 2 Electric Cooperative (Pelco 2) had prompted residents to call on the intervention of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Tony Cauguiran, leader of Mabalacat Stop Corruption, on Friday, May 3, urged Pelco 2 customers in Mabalacat City and six towns in Pampanga province, numbering about 65,000, to complain to President Rodrigo Duterte by texting him on 8888.
That is the number of the Citizens’ Hotline and Complaint Center that the President had set up by executive order to receive complaints from citizens.
Cauguiran appealed to Pelco 2 customers in Porac, Santa Rita, Bacolor, Lubao, Guagua and Sasmuan towns and Mabalacat City to “unite, sacrifice and spend” P2.50 a call to the center.
SunStar Pampanga learned that some consumers had as much as 100 to 600 percent increase in their monthly electric bills.
Maria Luisa Carvajal of Barangay Duquit said their average P60 bill per month has increased to P559.66 in their latest notice.
Another consumer, Reahlie Layag said that from P2,556 in March, her electric bill had soared to P5,066.17 in the last billing period.
Numerous consumers, who aired their complaints on social media, have described the electric bill increase as exorbitant and unjust.
Pelco 2 management stated in its Facebook account on April 27 that there will be an increase in electric bills this summer season.
“Ngayong tag-init, mapapansin natin na ang bill sa kuryente ay tumaas. Hindi lamang po tayo sa lalawigan ng Pampanga at Pelco 2 ang kasalukuyang nakakaranas nito,” Pelco 2 stated.
There are many reasons why electric bills increase, according to the electric cooperative.
Some of them include the simultaneous usage of cooling appliances like air conditioners and electric fans, and old appliances among others.
Pelco 2 also cited the increase in the price of electricity in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
It added that the increase in the power rates is controlled by the WESM and not by any electric cooperative like Pelco 2.