A national coalition of consumer groups on Tuesday criticized the Marcos administration over what it described as the government’s failure to protect Filipinos from rising electricity costs, and it is studying possible legal action against officials of energy agencies. —INQUIRER PHOTO

LUCENA CITY – A national coalition of consumer groups on Tuesday criticized the Marcos administration over what it described as the government’s failure to protect Filipinos from rising electricity costs, and it is studying possible legal action against officials of energy agencies.

The Power for People Coalition (P4P) said ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address that consumers continue to bear the burden of increasing electricity rates, citing the more than P4-per-kilowatt-hour increase in Manila Electric Company (Meralco) rates during the first four years of the administration.

“With rising electricity costs showing no signs of easing amid government policies, P4P is studying (possible lawsuits) against the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),” the coalition said.

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READ: Meralco hikes rates on generation fees

Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, secretary general of Sanlakas and a P4P convenor, said agencies tasked with protecting consumers must be held accountable for allegedly favoring energy companies’ interests over the public’s.

“The agencies responsible for protecting and advancing the interests of consumers must be held accountable for promoting the interests of abusive business entities,” warned lawyer Aaron Pedrosa, secretary general of Sanlakas, a P4P convenor.

Pedrosa emphasized that the primary responsibility of the DOE and ERC “is to serve consumers and residents by ensuring that electricity supply is affordable, safe, and reliable”.

“However, in recent months and years, it has become apparent that they have failed to fulfill their mandate,” Pedrosa said.

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The statement came after DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said the Philippines recorded the highest average electricity rates among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in June.

Guevara said the country’s average power rate reached P12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), higher than Singapore’s by P0.093 per kWh.

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Filipinos could see even higher electricity rates on their bills as fuel prices are higher due to renewed hostilities in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, oil companies implemented another round of price adjustments, increasing diesel prices by as much as P10.68 per liter, gasoline by P3.65 per liter, and kerosene by P11.77 per liter.

Fuel prices have generally trended upward since January, with sharper increases recorded in recent months amid volatility in the global oil market.

P4P criticized the government’s energy policies, particularly its continued support for coal-fired power generation, which contributes to high electricity costs and continued dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Coalition convenor Gerry Arances cited the government’s decision to ease restrictions on coal development and support projects such as the proposed 1,200-megawatt Atimonan One Energy coal plant in Quezon province.

Environmental groups and religious organizations in Quezon have been opposing the proposed coal-fired power facility on the coast of Lamon Bay.

P4P also claimed that energy corporations can pass volatile fuel costs on to consumers through electricity charges, further increasing household expenses.

READ: People in the provinces bear the cost of a failing power sector

Lawyer Luke Espiritu, president of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and a P4P convenor, said the country’s dependence on imported coal, gas, and oil leaves consumers vulnerable to global fuel price fluctuations.

“When there are wars or supply shortages from other countries, these result in higher fossil fuel costs, which corporations pass on to consumers through the generation charge,” Espiritu said.

He added that around 60 percent of Meralco customers’ electricity bills are from generation charges, which are affected by fuel costs.

Meanwhile, P4P convenor Leody De Guzman criticized government plans to expand gas-fired power generation, saying the country should instead prioritize renewable energy sources such as solar power.

“Instead of ensuring safe and affordable electricity through the use of solar and other renewable energy sources, the government plans to further deepen the country’s dependence on gas,” he said.

De Guzman added: “There is only one promise that BBM has delivered—that oligopolies and large corporations will remain protected and continue earning billions of pesos from millions of consumers.”

Last week, P4P held protest actions outside the ERC headquarters and Meralco offices in Pasig City to call for reforms in the power sector.

READ: Taxes, generation charge push Meralco rates higher in July

The coalition said many Filipino families are struggling with higher electricity bills and are being forced to choose between paying for electricity and meeting other basic household needs.

P4P also renewed its call for the ERC to investigate complaints of alleged irregular electricity meter readings by Meralco, conduct a comprehensive audit of the company’s billing practices, and impose sanctions if violations are proven.

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The group said some households have reported electricity bills that doubled or tripled in recent months despite little or no increase in their power consumption./coa