Consumer Groups to Hold 'People's SONA' Over Soaring Power Costs

Consumer groups in the Philippines are intensifying their calls to hold the government accountable for the soaring electricity rates and rising cost of living that are burdening the nation. A national coalition of consumer groups and sectoral organizations, led by the Power for People Coalition (P4P), will stage the "Sona ng Sambayanan" (People's SONA) on Monday, July 27, coinciding with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA). P4P stated that the event aims to present the "real state" of Filipino consumers by highlighting the impact of rising electricity rates, increasing prices of basic commodities, and the government's alleged failure to shield the public from the country's worsening cost-of-living crisis. P4P, a national network advocating for clean, affordable, and accessible energy, has repeatedly criticized the Marcos administration for its perceived lack of consumer protection. It specifically argues that continued support for coal-fired power generation contributes to high electricity costs and the country's ongoing dependence on imported fossil fuels. According to the coalition, current power pricing mechanisms allow energy companies to pass on fluctuating fuel costs to consumers through electricity charges, leading to higher household expenses. Many Filipino families are reportedly struggling with increasing power bills, often forced to choose between paying for electricity and meeting other basic household needs. Furthermore, P4P has renewed its call for the Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate complaints of alleged irregular electricity meter readings involving Manila Electric Company (Meralco), conduct a comprehensive audit of the utility's billing practices, and impose sanctions if violations are established. Some consumers have reported their electricity bills doubling or even tripling in recent months despite little or no increase in their power consumption. The coalition also warned that electricity rates could rise further as higher global fuel prices continue to affect power generation costs, following renewed tensions in the Middle East. Recently, oil companies increased pump prices by as much as P10.68 per liter for diesel, P3.65 per liter for gasoline, and P11.77 per liter for kerosene. Fuel prices have generally been on an upward trend since January, with sharper increases observed in recent months amid continued volatility in the global oil market. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo