More than two years after the Supreme Court ordered Manila Electric Company (Meralco) to refund its commercial and industrial customers nearly P23-billion in excess charges since 1994, local industries have yet to collect from the power distribution firm.
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said in a statement that members have not received their refund from Meralco even after the SC decision has become final and executory more than two years ago.
FPI President Jesus Arranza said the refund is long overdue and should now be released to the industries. "The release of the refund would help a lot of industries who are facing financial difficulties at this time," he stressed.
FPI, which counts among its members some of the country’s biggest industrial firms and industry associations, stressed that the refund is Meralco’s legal obligation.
"It should comply with the SC decision," the FPI stressed.
It could be recalled that the SC ordered Meralco in 2003 to refund the
P0.167 per kilowatt-hour in excess charges that the power company collected from the public since 1994.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had earlier assured Meralco customers that there will be full compliance and implementation of the Supreme Court’s final decision on the
P28.1-billion overcharging by the power firm.
"Justice must be done. Meralco will have to comply with the final decision of the Supreme Court," the President said.
But so far, Meralco has only completed refunding more than
P6-billion to small and medium users during the first three phases of its refund scheme.
The fourth phase is the most costly for the Lopez-led firm as this will require the company to shell out around
P18.6-billion to give back to its commercial and industrial customers the income tax charges passed on to them since 1994.
With the lower GDP growth of 4.1 percent due spiraling oil and consumer prices, the sluggish performance of the farm sector and lingering political uncertainties, industries are pressing for their refund to help them get through the difficult times.
Earlier attempts to settle the refund scheme failed when businessmen disagreed with Meralco’s proposal to spread the refund due its commercial and industrial customers over a period of eight to 10 years.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) Energy Committee said it wants a "business solution" to the refund.
It wants to know what kind of "instruments" Meralco could offer "that would give businessmen certain options."
