ERC slaps Meralco a P19-million fine over pandemic overcharge issues

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The Energy Regulatory Commission  (ERC) imposed a P19-million fine against Meralco “for failure to clearly indicate bills were estimated” and “failure to comply with the mandated arrangement.”

The fine is in relation to the ”bill shock” experienced by several customers of the utility."

Meralco’s neglect to provide accurate and timely information especially during this time of pandemic has created chaos and confusion to most of the electricity consuming public," says ERC Chairperson Agnes Devanadera.

The fine was also due to the utility giant's failure to comply with the mandated installment scheme for settling quarantine arrears.

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said it will study the ERC’s order and will file the appropriate pleading after consultation with its lawyers.

Ayan, malamang greedy at corrupt kasi ang management. Wala kayong lusot sa ginawa ninyo Meralco. Obvious naman na you wanted to cheat the people amid the pandemic. That is how cruel you are on imposing huge amount of bills just because you have a monopoly of the provision of electricity.

Ngayon ay dadaanin ninyo sa mga liars este lawyers parsa ilusot kayo sa kaso.

Meralco will just find a way to pass this to its consumers. Ang laki ng monthly bills namin this pandemic. More than our average.

Ibalik na lang sa consumers yung sobra or maling charges. Baka sa gobyerno na naman mapunta yung pera namin.

Meralco consumers appeal for extended payment deadline for lockdown bill while several had been complaining about absurdly high electricity bills when even some were not at home.

DOTr: Toll expressways must implement cashless transactions for all vehicles not later than Nov. 2

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To ensure swift transition to cashless transactions on toll expressways, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiterated the need for its immediate implementation not later than 02 November 2020.

This follows the release of the Department Order 2020-012, signed on 13 August 2020 by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, directing concerned agencies of the Department, namely the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Land Transportation Office (LTO), to formulate new processes and procedures to ensure the smooth implementation of cashless transactions on toll expressways.

Pursuant to its function as the implementing authority over limited access facilities, the TRB is directed to promulgate rules and regulations that will require concessionaires and operators to transition to a one hundred percent (100%) electronic toll collection lanes.

The Department Order further states that the TRB shall ensure concessionaires and operators install electronic tags or other cashless systems, such as but not limited to, RFID, Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS), etc. for all motorists and motor vehicles using the toll expressways and transact only thru the cashless mode of payment of toll not later than 02 November 2020.

“Coordination is already ongoing between TRB and our concessionaires and operators. We are also working on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the new policy to ensure smooth and expedient transition to contactless and cashless transactions. Ginagawa natin 'yan para walang hawaan [ng COVID-19]. 'Yan po ang direktiba sa atin ni Secretary Tugade kaya sisiguraduhin po natin na maipatupad ito by November 2.“ TRB Executive Director Abraham Sales said.

Meanwhile, the LTO will be in-charge of studying and exploring ways and means to allow for a full cashless and contactless system along expressways, while the LTFRB will monitor the compliance of all Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) on the mandatory use/installation of electronic tags or use of other cashless systems in their units.

Contactless transactions shall be implemented in the following identified limited access facilities: South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Metro Manila Skyway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) ; and all other road networks, including any extension of the existing expressway facilities mentioned, that may be constructed, established and/or operated as expressway toll facilities.

The new policy ensures further protection of the public from the infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as it promotes adherence to health protocols such as physical distancing through limiting human intervention, and removing the traffic queues as well as congestion at toll plazas.

Paolo Santos denies involvement in "Singing for the President" online concert

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"To avoid any confusion and to clarify to my friends and family concerned...

It has come to my attention that an announcement is going around saying I am one of the participants in a concert scheduled for Aug 30 called “Songs for Duterte (Singing for the President).” I’d like to make it clear here that I am not participating in it and have nothing to do with it.

I thank those who called my attention to it and showed concern.

You can catch news of my future performances and schedule on my page.  Thanks everyone and stay safe!" - Paolo Santos

So the organizers have updated the poster and even added personalities that are not really celebrities. Looking at the line-up, they are more like the volunteers during the Davao mayor's campaign.

The Requiem has evolved; Paolo Santos flaked out, more mediocre performers and many more surprise mediocre artists & celebrities expected. Blue color is replaced by an appropriate black.

Magandang umaga sa lahat lalo na kay Paolo Santos na idineny na kasali siya sa “Songs for Duterte” concert. Hanggang sa line-up ng performers sa concert ng mga DDS, fake news pa rin!

Nakoryente ang Jimmy Bondoc sa statement ni Paolo Santos na hindi siya kasali at wala siyang balak sumali sa concert for DU30. Hindi man lang muna sinigurado Masyado yatang na excite si Bondoc o basta na lang naglista. Fake news naman pala.

Organized daw ito by Volunteer Artists for Duterte? Volunteer ba talaga? By simply Googling, these artists have been appointed in different agencies: Bondoc (PAGCOR), Arnell/Mocha (OWWA), Paolo Santos/Thor/Njel/Moymoy (MTRCB). Baka naman po Volunteer To Be Appointed?

Note these people and lets make sure they will never be hired again:  "Among the performers confirmed so far are Dulce, Chad Borja, Mocha Uson, Njel de Mesa, Paolo Santos, Thor Dulay, Arnell Ignacio, and Moymoy Palaboy, according to Bondoc."

Bakit alam nyong "pagod na pagod na" ang Pangulo? Nagtatrabaho ba siya? O naghihingalo?

Wala man lang bang performer na sikat na haharana sa kanya? Yung kumanta ng paborito nyang "Ikaw", ayaw na? Yung Unkabogabol, ayaw din?

Kung nasasaktan na kayo, ayaw nyong pagpahingahin?

And is Paolo Santos still a DDS? It doesn't mean kasi if you campaigned for Duterte, you are still a supporter. Should we always blame the voters instead of failed leadership?

But if he still is paolo is definitely cancelledt.

But thanks, Jimmy, for enumerating the artists we need to cancel asap.