City Hall to review Jaro market power bills after vendor plaints

ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City government will review electricity billing records at Jaro Public Market after vendors complained of excessive charges despite what they described as limited power use, the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) said.

In a statement issued Saturday, Oct. 31, the LEEO said electricity charges billed to vendors are based on the consumption in kilowatt-hours recorded on each stall’s individual meter.

The office added that penalties and interest apply to delayed payments.

“Nevertheless, the Office will look into the matter and undertake the necessary steps to thoroughly review and assess the electricity billing records, including the factors that may have contributed to the alleged high rate of electricity bill,” the LEEO said.

“Should discrepancies or necessary adjustments be identified following the review, appropriate corrections will be reflected in the succeeding billing, subject to proper validation and applicable procedures,” the statement said.

The LEEO assured vendors that “this matter will be given due attention” and thanked them for raising their concerns.

The statement did not say when the review would be completed, whether the office had already found billing discrepancies, or which individual charges were being questioned.

Vendors question charges

The complaints surfaced in an Oct. 28 report by Ratsada Balita. In it, several stall owners said the electricity charges imposed by the city government appeared excessive and were not adequately explained.

One vendor, identified only by the alias “Inday,” said her stall in the dried fish section runs only one freezer and five light bulbs.

She said her electricity bill still exceeded PHP 5,000 in October and once reached as high as PHP 8,720.

“I pay my bills on time. There is no past due, knowing that if you cannot pay your bills on time, there is a 25% penalty,” she said.

Jereza Ferrer, who runs a tailoring shop in the market, questioned why she was billed for electricity in August when she began occupying her stall only in September.

LEEO: Bills follow meters, MORE Power rates

In the same report, the LEEO said each stall has its own electric meter and that vendors are billed based on the consumption those meters record.

The office stressed that the amount charged depends on the rates set by the power distributor, MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power).

“We charge them based on the amount billed to us by MORE Power. We do not earn anything from these charges. We cannot determine whether the amount is excessive or insufficient because we require the vendors to accompany our personnel during meter readings or have a representative present,” LEEO head Maricel Mabaquiao said in the report.

The LEEO also said vendors are not charged for electricity used in common areas, such as hallway lighting, which the city government shoulders.

Consumer group seeks review of market fees

Last week’s reports drew wider attention to vendors’ concerns over high electricity and water bills at the market.

The Panay Consumers Alliance called for a review of public market fees, greater transparency, and meaningful vendor participation in decisions affecting operating costs.

The group warned that higher utility charges could cut into vendors’ earnings and may be passed on to consumers through higher prices.

The redeveloped Jaro Big Market opened to vendors in December 2025 as one of three city public markets rebuilt with upgraded facilities. The LEEO said at the time that it can accommodate 193 original vendors with 547 stalls.