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Linemen work on electrical posts at a street in Mandaluyong on September 15, 2021. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

More consumers complain of bill shock

Alvin Elchico

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- More consumers are coming out to complain of high Meralco bills. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/26/electricity-consumer-complaints-surge-in-2026-erc-1643" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Electricity consumer complaints surge in 2026—ERC</a></div>One customer was asked by Meralco to pay P2.7 million which dates back to 2023. Another customer was charged P290,000 in June 2026 because of a tampered meter. In Marikina, an elderly consumer has complained that Meralco is asking her family to pay P54,000 to cover erroneous billing since 2024.According to the family, Meralco told them that the reading of their meter needed correction, and that translated to an under recovery of more than P54,000.Their electricity meter was also replaced even though the customer did not request for one.ABS-CBN forwarded the complaint of the customer to Meralco and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and both have promised to look into the situation.Meralco, meanwhile, said the company is duty-bound to implement anti-pilferage measures, hence the campaign against consumers who manipulate meters to reduce consumption.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/24/doe-says-non-technical-system-loss-removal-for-co-ops-could-take-a-year-1707" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DOE campaigns vs power theft; says non-technical system loss removal for co-ops could take a year</a></div>According to Meralco, reducing pilferage will also reduce the system loss as this forms part of the non technical losses which is charged in the bill of all consumers.For ERC, the rising number of complaints brought about by consumers to the commission  proves that people are aware of their rights under the law.ERC Director Marizon Gines said consumers whose meters were replaced and found to be tampered still has the option to file a complaint with the commission.And until the matter is finally resolved, private utilities and electric cooperatives are barred from disconnecting consumers from the power supply.

More consumers are coming out to complaining of staggering Meralco bills.

More customers complain of electric bill shock

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More customers complain of electric bill shock

Alvin Elchico,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 27, 2026 06:27 PM PHT

Read More:

bill shock

Meralco

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