Meralco, that behemoth of a power utility firm, is at it again. The Lopez-controlled firm has just announced a rate hike. They want Filipinos living in the Metropolis to give them 5 pesos more per kilowatt-hour of electricity. The reason for the power hike, so they say, is the shortage of electric distribution, which, in the words of Meralco PR boss Elpi Cuna, force their company to again, hike prices. Cuna says Meralco will again suffer from public outrage since the hike will be blamed to them. " It's not our fault", says Cuna. "..it's the fault of government." Or, specifically, the PSALM.
Besides, at the Senate energy committee probe today, Meralco admitted not knowing what's the correct charge to their customers. Without saying outright, Meralco says they may or may not be charging the right rate to us. If they don't know their math, they don't deserve being our distribution company.
I don't know about you but I'm sick and tired of Meralco's oft-repeated refrain of having losses "in the service of the Filipino." I mean, we are being fooled by this Lopez-controlled firm for the longest time. Senator Miriam Santiago is right--if the company is losing millions or even billions, the firm should probably decide to give over the reins of management to other groups (read: GSIS). There's something wrong with how Meralco is being run and government should step in to change the situation.
Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. This would probably surprise a lot of my friends, since at the onset of the GSIS vs. Meralco war, I made a stand against GSIS simply because Winston Garcia is doing it the wrong way. Now that he has momentarily desisted from his foolish enterprise, and Meralco again acted like a big mafiosi boss, it's time for government to intervene for the sake of the suffering consumers.
Since Gloria has failed to leave a legacy on the peace process in Mindanao, maybe it's time for the illegitimate president to focus on alleviating the plight of the Filipino masses by intervening in this case. Meralco continues to abuse the confidence of its customers and it is time for government to intervene.
Malacanang should start by revoking the franchise of Meralco. Gloria has the power to do that. If Meralco balks and goes to the Supreme Court, then, sige, allow them to do so. Or, better yet, Gloria should use the full force of the law and takeover Meralco. My, this utility firm is causing so much harm to the public welfare that everybody will applaud her for doing so.
It's time to change the policies of this distribution giant and give the reins of management to another who understands what Filipinos are experiencing. Look, Meralco's charges comprise at least 45% of the monthly pay of an ordinary Filipino worker and this is toooo much! I will support Gloria and even kiss her puny face should she win against Meralco.
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