Senator Hontiveros pushes 'no disconnection' policy for consumers disputing electricity bills

Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for a "no disconnection" policy that would prevent Meralco from cutting off electricity service to customers disputing their bills over alleged erroneous meter readings.

The proposal comes amid mounting complaints from consumers who said they were charged unusually high electricity bills due to incorrect meter readings.

“Consumers who were erroneously charged should not be forced to pay disputed charges just to keep their lights on. Hindi nila kasalanan na mali ang meter reading. Hindi konsyumers ang dapat mag-adjust,” Hontiveros said.

One of the cases cited involved a household that received an electricity bill despite having its circuit breakers switched off while the family was away on vacation. Meralco later admitted that the billing stemmed from a meter reader's mistake.

Despite such incidents, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has advised consumers disputing their bills to settle the charges under protest to avoid service disconnection while their complaints are under review.

Hontiveros questioned the policy, saying it appears to favor the power distributor over consumers.

“Bakit parang inuuna pa ang interes ng Meralco? Hindi naman siguro sila malulugi sa unpaid contested bills. Pero ang mga kababayan natin na di handa sa biglang lobo ng babayaran ay lalong mahihirapang magbudget,” Hontiveros said.

She argued that customers with legitimate billing disputes should not be compelled to pay first before their complaints are resolved.

“Kung lehitimo ang dispute sa bill, hindi makatarungan na pilitin silang magbayad muna. Pwede pa sana nilang magamit ang pera sa iba pang pangangailangan sa buwan na iyan,” Hontiveros added.

Under the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, customers are entitled to accurate metering and have avenues to challenge erroneous bills. However, the law does not explicitly prohibit utilities from collecting disputed charges or disconnecting electricity service while billing disputes remain unresolved.

Hontiveros urged the ERC to strengthen consumer protection by ensuring a fair and efficient process for resolving billing complaints.

“ERC should do something about this. Mandato nila na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga consumers. Dapat tiyakin nila na may mabilis, patas, at epektibong proseso sa pagresolba ng billing disputes, at hindi nalalagay sa alanganin ang mga konsyumer,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said she will file a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry, in aid of legislation, by the Senate Committee on Energy into the reported cases of erroneous meter readings and disputed electricity bills. The proposed investigation aims to determine the scope of the problem, assess existing consumer safeguards, and explore possible reforms to prevent unjust billing practices.