Visayan Electric customer demands refund
THE Visayan Electric Company is facing a complaint before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) over a customer’s electric bills during the quarantine period.
The complainant, Edward Ligas, a media anchor and an international boxing judge, said his monthly bill, which averaged between P3,400 and P3,500 before the coronavirus disease pandemic, has more than doubled since March 2020.
He said in his complaint that he ended up paying the electric utility an additional P27,695.22.
“Respondent, being a public utility must be fair in dealing with their consumers at all times but what respondent has been doing was contrary to Section 21 of Republic Act 9136, which promotes and protects the interest of the consumers like the complainant,” he said.
Ligas, a resident of Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, said he wants Visayan Electric to refund his payments for the months of April up to September.
He also wants the firm to correct his October bill and to refrain from disconnecting his electricity pending the resolution of the case.
Quennie Bronce, head of the Reputation Enhancement Department of Visayan Electric, released a statement on the matter.
“It is very unfortunate that there was confusion in the said bill of the customer. In relation to the Data Privacy Act, we cannot disclose the specifics of the account in question but we invite Mr. Ligas to get in touch with us so we can explain his bills,” the statement said.
Bronce also invited other customers with billing concerns to contact them.
They can visit any of their service centers at the South Extension Office in Tabunok, Talisay City; One Pavillion Mall in Banawa and Piazza Elesia in Talamban, both in Cebu City; J Center Mall in Mandaue City; and Galjj Building in Consolacion, she said.
They can also contact their customer service hotline 230-8326 or leave a message on their Facebook page, which is available 24/7, she said.
Bronce assured that Visayan Electric has placed strict measures to ensure that it is compliant with the applicable laws, regulations and advisories of the ERC. (KFD)