Tabuk SP to invite KAELCO over billing, incorrect meter reading complaints, agreement with hydro-power plants

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Tabuk City Sangguniang Panlungsod is set to invite officials of the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO) to its next regular session to explain reported consumer complaints involving high electricity rates, alleged over-billing and incorrect meter readings.

The move came after Councilor Atty. Errol B. Comafay Jr. submitted a resolution seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation into KAELCO’s rates and the complaints raised by consumers.

During the Sept. 29 regular session, Vice Mayor Dick G. Bal-o moved to invite KAELCO representatives to attend the council’s next session and answer questions concerning the issues covered by the resolution.

Comafay said he filed the resolution after receiving reports of alleged meter-reading errors and over-billing among consumers.

“There were various reports of misreading and over-billing among the consumers, that's why I filed this resolution,” Comafay said.

He also linked the inquiry to a proposed power purchase agreement between KAELCO and a hydropower plant, which he said was pending before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and expected to be heard in October.

“That's why I filed this resolution precisely to ask them so that we can in advance see what is the agreement between KAELCO and this hydro power plant that they are going to enter with,” Comafay said.

The proposed resolution seeks to determine the reasons behind the reported high KAELCO rates and consumer complaints, as well as identify possible legislative measures the city council may adopt to help address the concerns.

During the discussion, Vice Mayor Dick Bal-o said the council had previously passed a resolution asking KAELCO to shorten the duration of its contracts with power suppliers, particularly those located far from the area.

“Daytuy ti maysa nga naamwan tayu nga iti kaatiddug ti kontrata na dayuy supplier da... adu dagijay maapektaran. Baka adda nalaklaka nga makikontrataan tayu nga asasideg,” Bal-o said.

Councilor Zorayda Mia Wacnang, meanwhile, asked that the council clearly identify the issues that KAELCO would be expected to address during the next session.

“If we're going to invite KAELCO again, we better specify the topics to be tackled. So, if these are new matters, like for example, we didn't tackle about the proposed purchase agreement for the hydro,” Wacnang said.

Bal-o also said KAELCO should be given the opportunity to explain the complaints, noting that electricity providers have technical personnel who can respond to questions concerning billing and meter readings.

He cited the case of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) as an example of a utility dispute that reached the courts and resulted in an order for consumer reimbursement, without concluding that the same circumstances apply to KAELCO.

“Nu ayaban tayo dayta nalaing da agrason. Electronic engineer dan tupay nalaing agrason,” Bal-o said.

The council's planned invitation will give KAELCO an opportunity to respond to the reported complaints and explain its rates, meter-reading procedures and other matters that may be raised during the inquiry.

The proposed resolution does not establish that over-billing or incorrect meter readings occurred in specific cases. It calls for an inquiry to determine the causes of the complaints and possible legislative measures.

The resolution also does not specify the number of consumers who have complained or the total amount allegedly involved in over-billing.

The next session is expected to be the venue for the council’s initial discussion with KAELCO representatives as it proceeds with the inquiry initiated by Comafay’s resolution.