A warning to power distributors

IF SENATOR SHERWIN GATCHALIAN will have his way, the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO, will suffer the same fate as the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.

This, after ascertaining the big power distributor's various sanctionable violations.

Previously, the Energy Regulatory Commission or ERC, i,posed a P19 million fine after it failed to

explain clearly to its customers the spike in their monthly bills. Expectedly, irate customers filed several complaints with the ERC.

For its part, Meralco said it had billed customers based on average consumption from December to February because meter reading was not possible in March and April due to the enhanced community quarantine in Lizon to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Work has stopped everywhere.

Other smaller power distributors posing as electric cooperatives likewise charge their customers higher rates. They include almost everything: universal charge, environment fee, feed-in tariff allowance (?), distribution charge, transmission, anything to their customers' bills. These should be looked into by the concerned regulatory agencies!

One such cooperative is PELCO I, II and III serving the Pampanga area.

This cooperative, serving several municipalities and a city, does not perform beyond expectations and conduct regular outages or brownouts lasting several hours to the detriment of its customers. Some people wish a competent competitor should be allowed in to provide better service. Wel l ...

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Today is the most important day of my life, my birthday,

which falls on a Monday. For me, it's a bonus from God Almighty who is giving me a longer lease on life despite several trials and challenges, insults and frustrations of varying degr ees.

Not many of us manage to live beyond 70. I am grateful that I have been encouraged and supported by my siblings Perry and Mely and the rest of my brood led by Jerome, all grown ups now, alive and well. How I wish they live my age.

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I am also thankful to Rosan S. Paquia from the City Hall of Mabalacat and GM Rey Liwanag pf the Angeles City Water District whose words of encouragement and support never cease. Both these gentlemen are supportive to a fault.

Likewise, I thank Engrs. Junias Eusebio and Bien C. Mateo for their unburoshed support and accommodation.