Zambales 1st District Representative Jay Khonghun is seeking a congressional inquiry into the recent surge in electricity rates, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by the Zambales II Electric Cooperative (ZAMECO II).
The move follows a meeting between Khonghun and ZAMECO II General Manager Romwil De Jesus. According to the lawmaker, the cooperative’s justifications failed to adequately address consumer grievances or guarantee a much-needed reduction in monthly bills.
“We are not satisfied with the explanation. Electricity charges must come down,” Khonghun stressed.
To compel transparency, Khonghun announced that the House of Representatives will issue subpoenas to officials from both ZAMECO II and the Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company (OEDC). They will be summoned to a congressional hearing to justify the sudden rate hikes and answer directly to the consumers.
The lawmaker initiated the dialogue after his office was flooded with complaints from residents across the province regarding the sharp increase in their monthly power bills.
In some cases, households reported their electricity bills skyrocketing from an average of ₱1,500 to nearly ₱6,000—imposing a crippling financial burden on local families.
During the meeting, Khonghun detailed these grievances to the cooperative’s management, demanding a clear explanation and concrete measures to mitigate the financial impact on consumers.
ZAMECO II currently serves a franchise area spanning from Subic to Cabangan, covering approximately 98,000 residential, commercial, and industrial accounts.
Unconvinced by the cooperative’s initial defense, Khonghun vowed to relentlessly pursue the issue. He assured his constituents that he will hold the utility providers accountable until billing practices become fair, transparent, and equitable for the people of Zambales’ First District.