Consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) is calling on the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to publish a comprehensive analysis of the country’s electric cooperatives—not just their electricity rates—arguing that the quality, reliability, and sustainability of service must also be put under the spotlight.
In a statement, LKI emphasized that it is not enough to compare electricity rates across cooperatives and private utilities without also assessing performance indicators such as service reliability, system losses, and infrastructure resilience.
“Let’s not compare apples to oranges,” the group said. “Consumers deserve to know not just which provider charges less, but which ones actually deliver consistent, round-the-clock power.”
Cheaper isn’t always better
LKI acknowledged that some electric cooperatives offer lower electricity prices than larger private firms like Meralco. However, the group questioned whether these savings come at the cost of unreliable or inadequate service, especially in rural and disaster-prone areas.
“Consumers want lower electricity bills, but they also expect substantial, sustainable service,” LKI said. “Cheap electricity that comes with frequent blackouts or poor service is not what the Filipino public deserves.”
Urban vs. rural electricity access
Citing a 2019 Asian Development Bank working paper by Shinichi Taniguchi, LKI pointed to the significant disparity in electricity access across the country. While Metro Manila—served primarily by Meralco—boasts a 98% electrification rate, regions like Mindanao still lag behind with access rates as low as 40.9%, according to Department of Energy (DOE) data.
This uneven development, the group said, makes it “unfair” to evaluate private distribution utilities and electric cooperatives on the same basis without examining the full picture.
Investments in infrastructure
The group also praised some distribution utilities for investing in system upgrades—such as securing reserve power and building disaster-resilient infrastructure—which LKI says are essential for long-term service stability, especially in times of calamity.
“These investments are not cheap,” the group said, “but they ensure stable and resilient electricity that can withstand typhoons, earthquakes, and other disasters.”
Demand for transparency and accountability
LKI is urging NEA to release updated reports on the rural electrification program, which dates back to the 1960s. The group insists that the agency provide a full comparative analysis of all electric cooperatives, including performance metrics that matter to consumers.
“We don’t need half-truths or selective data,” LKI added. “NEA must stay true to its mandate of ensuring reliable, affordable, and efficient electricity service for all Filipinos.”
The group concluded by stressing the vital role of the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission in striking the right balance between electricity cost and service quality—something that, LKI says, should no longer be treated as a trade-off.