It is all about one’s consumption — of electricity, that is

Published May 25, 2020, 11:00 PM By ELINANDO B. CINCO
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/25/it-is-all-about-ones-consumption-of-electricity-that-is/

The ongoing lockdown and modified enhanced community quarantine we are all enduring have been taking their toll on the Filipino people. It truly is an extraordinary, and unfortunate, time we are living in, so it is quite understandable for tensions to run high as we brace for the remaining days of May, 2020.

But slowly, as we step into the New Normal, and as we gradually go back to the “real world,” there may be some hesitance and reluctance when it comes to certain realities. But at the end of the day, we have to come to terms with our responsibilities, one of which is to manage our budget and settle our bills.

Electricity bills have been making the news again, as many customers are getting what is referred to as “bill shock.” But from what I understand, there is a logical explanation as to why there is a possibility that your May power bill will tend to be higher. Again, this is power we have been consuming, so it is only right that we pay for it.

My own power bill was also surprising and difficult to grasp. I actually, badgered Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga one evening to clarify matters on my own bill. It took a lot of explaining from Joe, but here is how I understood it after a long and tedious debate.

As part of the ECQ period, some March and all April bills were estimated based on the past three months’ average daily consumption.

Apparently, that is what power companies follow as a guide in their operational function due to the absence of the actual reading of the meter (meter readers cannot go out due to the lockdown).

Come to think of it, the three months that were used as basis — December 2019, January, 2020, and February, 2020 — were considered “low consumption” months as these were significantly cooler months compared to the summer months of March, April, and May.

Joe pointed out that “aside from these, the following factors have affected customers’ May bill.”

Increased consumption during ECQ, as everyone is at home. So, appliances are usually switched on most of the time throughout the day with more people using it, especially appliances like fans and air-conditioners.

The latter, which most households would use 6 to 8 hours per day before ECQ, could be on as long as 12 to even 20 hours per day during the ECQ. Also, temperatures are currently at a record high 40 to 50 degrees, leading to higher use of cooling devices.

In summary, the May bill is the total actual kWh consumption from March to May, minus the low estimated consumption of March and April. This total, which is already based on the true and actual readings, is what customers actually see in the May bill.

Grudgingly I agree. Who wants to pay a high bill? Certainly, not me but I actually have no choice because I used the electricity. So there is the painful truth.

Sometimes, that is all we need to hear — an explanation that dissects every piece of information.

But I know many of my readers may still feel they must have not consumed that much. Perhaps the regret is that we were unable to track our consumption. Lessons certainly learned here. Thankfully, I saw on the news that May, April, and March bills will be allowed to be paid in monthly installments, starting next month. This will definitely help consumers in managing and planning their budget for the coming days. This is some relief we can enjoy in the meantime.

But we are in uncertain times, and it is a good thing we have power on. Maybe, we can do our part and be more mindful of the power we consume, and acknowledge our civic duty as responsible citizens to pay for that consumption, for after all just like any product, electricity is a commodity we consume.