In a major win for electricity consumers, Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI) has welcomed the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval of MERALCO’s refund petition, calling it a crucial relief for millions of Filipino households grappling with rising costs.
“This P20-billion refund is a significant step forward,” said LKI Trustee Jorge Bandola. “Over the next three years, residential consumers will enjoy a P0.20 per kilowatt-hour reduction in their electricity bills—a much-needed break as people struggle with escalating expenses.”
While celebrating this development, LKI is also pressing the ERC to expedite the long-overdue rate reset of MERALCO and other power distributors to ensure consumers fully reap the benefits of fair and just electricity pricing.
“Regulatory delays in rate resets have deprived consumers of the true advantages of performance-based regulation,” Bandola pointed out. “This mechanism is designed to hold power distributors accountable, ensuring they provide fair electricity rates alongside quality service.”
LKI is now urging the ERC to extend its review beyond MERALCO, scrutinizing the pricing structures of other power distributors to guarantee fair rates for all consumers nationwide.
“For the sake of consumer welfare, we call on the ERC to review and assess the electricity rates imposed by various distribution utilities. Every Filipino household deserves transparent and reasonable electricity pricing—not just those under MERALCO,” Bandola emphasized.
As a staunch consumer watchdog, LKI vowed to closely monitor the rate reset proceedings, expecting the ERC to act with urgency, fairness, and transparency.
“We will be keeping a close eye on these developments,” Bandola concluded. “Consumers deserve timely regulatory actions that prioritize their interests and protect them from unnecessary financial burdens.”
With LKI actively advocating for consumer rights, all eyes are now on the ERC to ensure electricity pricing remains just, competitive, and consumer-friendly across the country.