Bayan Muna sa Meralco: P30-B ‘undue excess Revenues’ sa konsyumer, ibalik

NAGPAHAYAG ng suporta si Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares sa mga hakbangin na pababain ang bayarin sa elektrisidad ng Meralco upang maba­wasan ang paghihirap ng kanilang mga konsyumer.

Ito ay makaraang maghain ng petisyon ang Matuwid na Singil sa Kuryente (MSK) sa  Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) at inaasahan na agad itong maaaksiyonan ng komisyon.

“The petition seeks for a rate reduction for 2019 onwards of at least P0.2852 per kwh to stop the unconscionable profits from further accumulating. This will reduce Meralco’s net profits by about P13.4 billion, bringing it down from 25% return on equity to 12% per year as mandated by the Supreme Court as fair for public service monopoly granted by the government,” ayon kay Colmenares.

Aniya, sa regulasyon ay pinayagan ang Meralco na magpataw ng ‘maximum rate’ sa kanilang consumers at tukuyin ang buwis na dapat ikinokonsiderang makatuwiran.

“If Meralco actually collects excess revenues, then it means that Meralco charged excessive rates and the excess revenue should be returned to the consumers through rate reduction. It is uncon­scionable, even plunde­r­ous, for Meralco to keep those excess charges,” paliwanag ng Bayan Muna chariman.

Binigyang diin na ang nasabing rate ay dapat na muling i-compute bawat regulatory period sa  kada apat na taon, ngunit ang kasalukuyang ipinapataw na rate umano ay ibinase sa third regulatory period mula Hulyo 2011 hanggang Hunyo 2015, para sa forecasted sales na  30.61 bilyon kwh noong 2013.

“The estimated total for 2013 to 2018 using only 50% of excess energy sales would total P29.669 billion and this should be refunded to consumers while at the same time the rates of Meralco should be reduced. The application of regulations has been onerous in favor of the electricity monopoly at the expense of consumers. This has to stop,”  dagdag ng dating Bayan Muna solon.