Majority of Filipinos dissatisfied with electricity rates – Pulse Asia

MANILA – Majority of adult Filipinos are dissatisfied with prevailing electricity rates even after last month’s the rollback, results of a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia Research Inc. showed.

In a press conference in Quezon City on Monday, Pulse Asia Research director Ana Maria Tabunda said nearly two-thirds of Filipinos are not satisfied with electricity rates.

“Majority of Filipino adults or 60 percent are dissatisfied with the price of their electricity,” Tabunda told reporters.

Results of the Ulat ng Bayan Survey showed 60 percent of respondents said they were not satisfied with electricity rates – 29 percent of which were “somewhat dissatisfied” while 31 percent were “very dissatisfied.”

Conducted in June, the survey covered a sample size of 1,800 with a nationwide error margin of ±2.3.

The survey results showed that 27 percent of respondents were satisfied with electricity rates, and 14 percent were undecided.

“Dissatisfaction is highest in NCR (National Capital Region) at 84 percent,” said Tabunda, noting that the survey was conducted on June 15 to 21, a week after the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced lower rates that month.

Meralco is the largest private sector electric distribution company in the Philippines, covering 36 cities and 75 municipalities, including Metro Manila.

This August, the Pangilinan-led company said electricity rates are up at P10.2190 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from July P10.1925.

Sought for comment, Meralco claimed its rates are among the lowest in Asia.

“Over the past six years, Meralco’s customers have been among the few in the world that have enjoyed rate decreases, versus substantial increases in that of some other neighboring countries, an international study showed,” Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriage told GMA News Online.

Citing data from Australian consulting firm International Energy Consultants (IEC), Zaldarriaga said Meralco has been reducing electricity prices since January 2016.

“Meralco’s average tariff (excluding VAT) in US cents per kWh has declined 4 percent since January 2016 versus an average increase of 12 percent across 46 countries covered by the survey,” he said.

“As further shown by the IEC study, Meralco rates rank as one of the cheapest in Asia excluding other markets’ subsidies and the use of nuclear power generation,” Zaldarriaga noted.

In a separate statement, Sanlakas secretary general Aaron Pedrosa claimed that Meralco is also pushing for more coal-powered facilities in the country.

“On top of Meralco’s monopoly over power distribution in the Greater Manila Area, Meralco and its co-owned generation companies are hell-bent on pursuing the approval of their power supply agreements which will add another 3.5 GW of dirty and expensive coal.”

Such plan could further raise electricity rates, according to the group.

“This, even though the effects of using imported and indigenous coal are already raising prices drastically,” Pedrosa noted.

The Pulse Asia survey also showed that 82 percent of respondents were in favor of having an option to their electric service provider, and 89 percent are in favor of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country. (GMA News)