In the last three years, because of a friend’s kind invitation, I have been drawn to an advocacy that I initially was not too keen on—consumer rights.

There are now legal instruments in the country that protect against abuse and misconduct against us consumers but many do not know about them. I was one of those consumers who were not too interested in consumer rights advocacy.

However, with my involvement in the group Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, at Kuryente (BK3) I began to notice even more issues and concerns that affected and shaped my daily concerns.

Now, March 15 has become etched among the key days in my calendar every year. Why?

The first observance of World Consumer Rights 'Day (WCRD) was on March 15, 1983. It was preceded by the declaration of US President John F. Kennedy regarding the four fundamental citizens' rights: rights to safety; right to be informed; right to choose; and the right to be heard. To these four, the United Nations added four more rights: Right to meet basic needs; right to redress; right to education; and, right to a healthy environment. Collectively, these eight rights undergird the comprehensive interest of consumers worldwide.

On April 9, 1985, the UN adopted the Guidelines for Consumer Protection that draw from the principles carried by these eight rights.

In our country, in line with the aforementioned developments, Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines was enacted on July 2, 1991 to better assure the promotion of consumers interests and establish standards for business and industry.

For those who want help with consumer matters even beyond the law, the Department of Trade and Industry's Consumer Protection Group is also there. There is something we can do as responsible citizens and consumers if we feel our rights are being breached or threatened.

BK3 in particular was set up as an advocacy group to help protect and promote the interests of ordinary consumers, especially on mass transport and energy-related issues and concerns.

Successful and meaningful advocacy work is built on valid and reliable information. Under this pandemic, BK3 recognizes even more the importance of reliable, fact-based information for us to make important decisions and policies. There is thus the need to help disseminate such information—information that guides relevant and responsible consumer behavior.

In the energy sector now, for instance, an important current concern is Meralco’s latest announcement regarding electricity consumption, billing, and payments for a number of months under the quarantine.
In sum, Meralco has announced the following and is asking for the public’s kind indulgence:

It was not able to read all electric meters during the quarantine period given to quarantine and lockdown-related restrictions in the mobility of its field personnel.
About 2.8 million households and establishments with meters were not reached. Certainly, these have yet to pay their bills while the rest billed and some have in fact already paid.
In June, all accounts will already be billed based on actual meter readings and not mere estimates. Those whose meters have not been read and have not yet therefore paid will get their billing for the whole period of the quarantine in the months—a total amount for the four months March, April. May, and June. Expect this to be therefore a rather hefty sum—an amount equivalent to one-third of the customer’s year- long consumption.
The total price for a customer’s four-month bill in June will be determined based on Meralco meter reading in June and in March when the quarantine and lockdowns began. This is based on actual meter readings.
To ease the burden on us consumers, Meralco is following an ERC order to allow for installment payments for this four-month period bill.

In view of these, we advise the consuming public to be prudent and consider well how they have made use of electricity in their households and/or establishments under quarantine. Consider well your billing statements. For any concerns and clarifications on your charges, it is best that you immediately pay a visit to any Meralco business/payment center and clarify matters.

Just a thought: it might be time to reassert the need to further develop the grid by allowing for digital meters which are more accurate, reliable, and multi-functional. In the longer term, the employment of such devices could serve as the digital backbone of a greener, cleaner, more inclusive, and sustainable energy sector. I know power distributors like Meralco would prefer the employment of such tech that could help us better run our systems. We will see.

This issue with Meralco is a sample pf what I would usually write on as part of my consumer advocacy concerns. However, there is certainly a need to go deeper.

Responsible and ethical consumerism is one theme that I will explore in future pieces for this column. Yes, there is such a thing. I believe that as part of the post-Covid scenario, this matter deserves better attention. As we may have better gleaned from our current concerns under the pandemic, the economic cycle is an integrated whole. We may be consumers with needs to address and rights to be observed, but those needs and rights at times have to be qualified and tempered in view of the concern to sustain and advance the whole economic system. There is a need therefore to continue exploring consumers rights and trends as we shape a better world after the threat of Covid.