Puno to gov’t: Rev up measures to remove electric bill dilemma of poor Filipinos

INSPECTION In this photo taken in 2021, linemen inspect meters installed on top of electric posts in Sta. Ana,Manila. Consumers are advised to brace for higher power rates due to surging demand driven by the intense heat. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno urged the government to ramp up solutions that will aid indigent Filipinos grappling with the rising cost of electricity bills.

“Kapag tumataas nga ‘yung cost ng energy natin ang pinaka-nahihirapan itong mga kababayan nating nasa bottom ng society. Ito ang nagpapahirap sa kanila, pati inflation,” he said in an INQUIRER.net interview on Wednesday.

(When the cost of our energy increases, it is our countrymen who are at the bottom of society who suffer the most. This, as well as inflation.)

“Dapat magkaroon ang gobyerno ng programa [tungkol sa tumataas na electricity bill] to reach the poor people,” he added.

(The government should have a program addressing the rising electricity bill to reach the poor people.)

The ex-government official is now chairman of an all-Filipino corporation, GenWATT Energy Solutions, which specializes in the design and installation of solar energy systems in households and small and medium enterprises.

He further encouraged the public to switch to solar energy if possible, as it can help them save a significant amount of money and be “energy independent.”

On September 8, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced a 50 centavo per kilowatt-hour hike in its consumers’ September bill due to a rise in generation charges.

INQUIRER.net has contacted the Department of Energy for a comment but has yet to respond as of posting time.

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