UNSATISFIED with ZAMECO II’s explanation for the sharp increase in electricity bills, First District Zambales Representative Jay Khonghun on Saturday said he would seek a House inquiry and require the attendance of officials from both ZAMECO II and the Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company (OEDC).
The statement came after Khonghun met with ZAMECO II General Manager Romwil De Jesus, whose explanations, the lawmaker said, failed to adequately address consumers’ concerns or provide assurance that electricity rates would significantly decrease.
“We are not satisfied with the explanation. Electricity charges must come down,” Khonghun said.
In response, Khonghun announced that the House of Representatives would issue subpoenas requiring officials of ZAMECO II and the Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company (OEDC) to attend a congressional hearing and explain the basis for the high electricity charges, as well as respond to the complaints raised by consumers.
The lawmaker initiated talks with ZAMECO II after his office received numerous complaints from residents across Zambales regarding the sharp increase in their monthly electricity bills.
Among the complaints were households that said their monthly power bills, previously averaging around P1,500, had suddenly risen to nearly P6,000, placing a heavy financial burden on their families.
During the meeting, Khonghun presented the consumers’ grievances one by one and called on ZAMECO II to provide a clear explanation and implement concrete measures to lessen the impact of the higher electricity costs.
ZAMECO II currently serves an estimated 98,000 residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in the municipalities from Subic to Cabangan, Zambales.
Despite the cooperative’s explanations, Khonghun vowed to continue monitoring the issue and hold those responsible accountable until electricity billing becomes fair, transparent, and equitable for residents of the First District of Zambales.
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