AKBAYAN Party-list Representative Chel Diokno, together with fellow members of the Akbayan Reform bloc, has filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the unclear and excessive charges on electricity bills.
House Resolution 995 is backed by Akbayan party-list Representatives Percival Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao. It underscores the need for closer scrutiny of pass-through charges imposed by Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and other distribution utilities.
Diokno pointed out that consumers are burdened with multiple charges, including generation fees, transmission charges, system loss charges, universal charges, Lifeline Subsidy fees, Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All), Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All), missionary electrification charges and taxes. These charges, allowed under laws such as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the Expanded Lifeline Rate Act and the Renewable Energy Act, have raised concerns over fairness and transparency.
“At a time when Filipino families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, they should not be further burdened by these unclear and excessive charges,” Diokno stated. He stressed the need to determine whether these charges truly serve the best interests of consumers and whether they are being imposed fairly.
While recognizing the importance of subsidy programs for marginalized sectors, Diokno argued that ordinary consumers should not shoulder the bulk of these costs. The investigation will also examine possible amendments to the EPIRA Law, particularly provisions related to electricity pricing and consumer charges.
In addition, the inquiry will review Energy Regulatory Commission resolutions on the imposition of electricity charges and investigate the implementation of the Lifeline Rate Subsidy Program under Republic Act No. 11552.
Diokno and his colleagues said they aim to ensure that all pass-through charges and subsidies are properly managed without placing excessive strain on ordinary Filipinos already dealing with inflation.
