THE Municipal Council of Magalang has set a public hearing to resolve numerous complaints by residents about the sudden increase in their electric bills.
The Sangguniang Bayan recently passed a resolution enjoining its Committee on Public Utilities "to conduct a public hearing, in aid of legislation, as regards the unexpected and abrupt spike of electric bills of Pampanga Electric Cooperative 1 (Pelco 1) amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Councilor Koko Gonzales, who authored the resolution, said they invited official of the Pelco 1 to shed light on the issues.
He said the hearing will be held at the session hall of the Municipal Council at 9 a.m. on June 23.
The official invited the residents to attend the hearing. "Idaraos po ang isang pagdinig sa mga susunod na araw. Iimbitahan po ang mga opisyal ng Pelco 1 at ang publiko upang mapag-usapan ang mga naturang reklamo sa singil sa kuryente."
On June 17, 2020, Mayor Romy Pecson earlier sent the Pelco 1 officials a letter regarding the issue.
The residents thanked the town officials for acting on complaints regarding their power bills that allegedly reached double their previous consumptions.
Scores of netizens aired their complaints regarding the issue through social media.
A resident said, "bakit po ganoon kung kailan nababawasan ang mga ginagamit na appliances ay doon lalong tumataas ang mga bayarin sa kuryente?"
"Magbibigay ng discount dahil sa Covid-19 tapos pagdating pala ng susunod na bill kulang P1,000 dagdag, Pelco ano na?" another netizen stated. "Maraming salamat po sa pag aksyon niyo sa isyu ng kuryente. Sana po masagot din nilayung tanong kung bakit kapag gabi madalas humina ang kuryente. Kasi minsan bigla na lang kikislap tapos biglang hihina ang kuryente."
