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Kumusta, Caramoan!
Dios marhay na aldaw, Bicolandia!
Magandang araw, Pilipinas!
Good day, world!

Pilipinas, Bayad Na Ba Ang Kuryente Nyo?

BABALA: Mahaba at baka ma-trigger kayo.

The most recent Meralco billing has made many Filipinos—particularly the middle class—speak up and express their disappointment.

Imagine this: when it’s payday, we check our payslip and see our supposed “income.” But immediately below it is the income tax deduction—the most documented contribution of privately employed individuals to the government. What follows is a group of statutory deductions: SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

From what remains after those deductions, we buy food, groceries, and medicine—all of which are taxed.

And because we can afford some things—dining out, grabbing coffee, watching movies, traveling, and others—we pay even more in taxes.

Now let’s focus on our essential bills: electricity, internet, and water. All of these are also taxed, so again, we pay more.

In recent years—and I say this with full confidence, referring to both the Duterte and Marcos administrations—prices have gone up. Everyone is affected. The middle class, like everyone else, has had to become more frugal.

The sad part? During the most difficult times, low-income earners receive ayuda (financial or goods assistance), but the middle class—arguably the group contributing the most in taxes—does not.

Zooming in on the Meralco bill—have you seen yours this April? In my case, it increased by PHP 3,309.

Now, I understand that rates are expected to rise—it’s summer. But don’t make us look foolish. We monitor our bills and track their fluctuations. This month’s increase is excessive.

Before April, it was announced as “great news” that low-income Filipino families would finally benefit from an electricity subsidy. That was indeed good news—but only to find out later that the financial burden was spread across the rest of the customers, the majority of whom are from the middle class and above.

Kawawang middle class. Yes, we can afford some extras—but not luxuries. And after those “extras,” we’re essentially in the same position as everyone else, trying to make ends meet.

Why was there no consultation? You make yourselves look good to our less fortunate countrymen (whom you deliberately mislead), only to pass the burden onto the middle class. Don’t get me wrong—I fully support helping families in the margins. But is this really fair? Aren’t there underutilized funds already? What’s the plan for those—divide them among yourselves again? After all, you always have the option to pass the burden onto the middle class, right? That’s just plain greed.

Anyway, Meralco said it will issue a refund in May. Well, it should—because what’s happening feels like theft. You are practically enabling government officials to keep taking, this time not from public funds, but directly from our pockets.

This government–oligarch partnership is becoming too loud to ignore.

And to those who voted for the politicians involved in this strategy—have you learned any lesson at all?

Wag Nang Pipikit Kung Namulat Na

Kumusta, Caramoan?
Dios marhay na hapon, Bicolandia!
Magandang hapon, Pilipinas!
Good afternoon, world!

Have you tried spending a weekend at Canyon Cove? We did just this past weekend, and we’re sharing some photos from our stay.

Feel free to drop your questions in the comments if you have any!

Dios marhay na aldaw, Caramoanons! Ano man ang mga kakanon na orihinal na gikan sa banwaan ta? Mabalos!

Hello Caramoanons!

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