Gabriela slams Meralco hike

Manila Bulletin
April 14, 2014

Women’s group Gabriela on Monday conducted simultaneous rallies in various offices of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to condemn the P0.89 per kilowatt hour (kwh) power rate hike this month.

Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador slammed the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Aquino government for their alleged inability to protect the rights of the consumers from the greed of the power sector.

The women’s group called on the public to stamp the words “Paid Under Protest’’ on their electric bills to show their displeasure of the power rate hike.

Salvador also condemned the alleged blackmailing tactics of Meralco and the threats of blackouts in Metro Manila.

Salvador also accused the ERC of protecting the interest of the power companies instead of uplifting consumer rights.

“Women’s, especially mothers who budget their families’ everyday, needs are greatly burdened by the power industry,’’ Salvador said.

Salvador also called for the junking of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) that allows private monopoly of the power industry.

Gabriela also urged the public to join the “Lights Off Protest’’ on April 21 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to object the rising electricity costs. (Chito A. Chavez) source