Consumer group asked utilities: Freeze rate hike

Cebuano households are heading into the 2025 holiday season under renewed pressure from higher utility costs and lingering concerns over power reliability, prompting consumer advocates to call for a rate freeze and a “zero-outage” guarantee during Christmas.

- Ehda M. Dagooc Staff Member

Nathaniel Chua, convenor of the Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA), said the simultaneous increases in electricity and water charges are forcing many families into difficult trade-offs at a time when household spending typically peaks.

“Families are being pushed to choose between keeping the lights on and putting food on the table,” Chua said, warning that many consumers are nearing a breaking point.

The appeal follows a year marked by grid fragility and intermittent outages, with consumer groups arguing that residents should be spared service disruptions and bill shocks during the holidays. December, CERA said, should bring stability rather than added financial strain for households already grappling with rising living costs.