Maraming Pilipino ang naka-relate sa Facebook post ng GMA News anchor na si Susan Enriquez tungkol sa hindi niya maunawaang billing charges ng Manila Electric Company (Meralco).
Ngayong Lunes, ibinahagi ni Susan sa Facebook ang screenshot ng bago niyang electric bill na umabot sa "PHP31,807.61."
Naka-breakdown dito kung para saan at kung magkano ang charges.
Kapansin-pansing may mga karagdagang charges na wala sa dating billing ng Meralco gaya ng Senior Citizen, GEA-All (Renewable), at Lifeline.
Saad ni Susan sa caption ng kanyang post (published as is): "Hindi ko rin maintindihan etong mga charges na ito
"System loss bakit hindi naman ako nag operate ng meralco,
"Government taxes dapat lang naman pero pag nag ayad ba ako ng tax hinihingi ko ba sa meralco
"Etong universal,fit all,gea all,lifeline and other charges ano to?"
May halong birong tanong pa ng Kapuso anchor: ”Pag lifeline, ano ba yun? Saan gagamitin? Sa game show ba na merong lifeline?”
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MERALCO EXPLAINS ELECTRICITY CHARGES
Hindi naman nagkulang ang pamunuan ng Meralco sa pagpapaliwanag tungkol sa billing charges na hind lubos maunawaan ng mga Filipino consumer.
Nilinaw nila na lahat ng charges ng Meralco ay inaprubahan ng pamahalaan bago ito ipinatupad.
“Meralco, just like other electricity distributors across the country, operate under strict regulatory oversight that ensures all charges are lawful, transparent, and properly vetted.
"Every line item in your electricity bill has been approved before they are reflected and implemented,” pahayag ng Corporate Communications Head ng Meralco na si Joe Zaldarriaga.
Maliban dito, naglabas din ng karagdagang paliwanag si Zaldarriaga tungkol sa billang charges.
Paglilinaw niya tungkol sa Senior Citizens at Lifeline Consumers charges: “Your electricity bill includes 'pass-through' charges that go toward government programs for senior citizens and lifeline consumers, and renewable energy subsidies to support the country’s shift to cleaner energy.
“Meralco does not earn from these charges. These are implemented by all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives nationwide.
"We want to ensure your billing is clear and easy to understand.
“Kasama sa mga charges na ito ang mandated subsidies at taxes na ire-remit sa government through the relevant agencies.
"Bukod dito, ang mga ito ay ini-implement ng lahat ng distribution utilities at electric cooperatives sa bansa at hindi lang exclusive sa Meralco."
Hinikayat ni Zaldarriaga ang mga may katanungan tungkol sa kanilang electric bills na magpadala lamang ng mensahe sa Meralco na nakahandang sumagot.
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OTHER ELECTRICITY CHARGES
Malaya ring makapagsasaliksik si Susan at iba pang consumers sa Meralco website para malaman kung para saan ang mga hindi nila maintindihang charges.
Ang GEA-All o Green Auction Allowace ay bago at mandatory charge sa Meralco bills na inumpisahang ipatupad noong Enero 2026.
“It appears as a separate line item for all customer types to support solar, wind and hydro projects,” karagdagang paliwanag ng Meralco tungkol sa GEA-All.
Ayon sa Meralco, ang Lifeline Rate ay “subsidized electricity rate for low-income households (4Ps beneficiaries or those below the poverty threshold) consuming 100kWh or less per month”
Feed-in-Tariff Allowance naman ang kahulugan ng FIT-All, ang mandatory government-imposed charge na ginagamit sa pagpopondo sa renewable energy projects gaya ng solar, wind, at hydro.
“For January 2026, it is combined with GEA-All at P0.2382/kWh. These are non-earning pass-through charges, fully remitted to the National Transmission Corporation,” paliwanag pa ng Meralco.
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