LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Bantay Kuryente, strongly disagrees with the perception of Mr. Ben Kritz in his column entitled “Meralco successfully bends SC to its will, for now.”
Bantay Kuryente is a new but emerging consumer group that has been involved with various power related issues and has actively participated in hearings and activities of the Energy Regulatory Commission. We strongly adhere to the idea of competition in the industry, not only as the basis of consumer protection, but as a catalyst for progress. We believe that we must preserve the spirit of the EPIRA, which supports the freedom of choice for the consumers, and abide by RCOA as long as it is within the vision of the law.
With more suppliers as options for the customers, costs will be more competitive, and the customers will have more power to choose the supplier that best benefits their needs.
The resistance against the rules and regulations issued by ERC and DOE, now covered by the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, comes from a majority of the consumers as the concern cuts through all groups and sectors, and not just Meralco’s largest customers.
Without the TRO, the choice of consumers would be limited as they would lose almost 30 options that could have meant lower costs on their end.
Surely, an issue with such broad effects is enough stimulus for various stakeholders to express strong protest to a bad policy. It is grossly unfair for Mr. Kritz to question groups who only exercised their right to stop a damaging policy being implemented at the expense of consumers.
Respectfully,
Signed
Patrick ‘Pet’ Climaco
Secretary General
Bantay Kuryente