The escalating cost of electric bills is getting rocket high as to render the retirees as I and my wife are, with limited fixed income from pensions, incapacitated to afford the most needed beneficial comfort that electricity provides. Such has become a heated and controversial issue in the locality. These recent few months, the actual monthly increasing bills seemed to thump my head with a stern reminder that soon we will be having shortage of funds for our most fundamental necessity---food in our bowl. It socked me to the bones that I was determined to cut it out or do without. To cut it out is meant to return to the primitive use of kerosene or oil lamps and all those deprivations I have in my childhood; after all when Thomas Edison was experimenting on electric light, he was using oil or gas lamps and candles. But of course I do not want to do that. I wanted to enjoy the blessings of the wonders of electricity and the comforts from technology as these resources complement each other in providing ease and contentment.
While we are enjoying the presence of some of the modern relief and relaxation gizmos at home, I soon realized the truth of the saying that “with great power comes and even greater electricity bill.” Now I decidedly thought that there are those that we can do without if we are to have the assurance that our skyrocketing electric bill might be reduced to the most affordable level. And sadly, the one thing that is dispensable and which contributes so much to the elevated cost is the one that sits by our window and provides us with soothing comfort and deep sleep each night---the air conditioner.
This one comforting item is getting us closer to our grandchildren for all would want to sleep with us during the night, especially at these times of summer. No matter how crowded we are in the room, still we can always have a good night sleep. It is even most beneficial for us---the retirees---whose physical appendages are weakened by age making it hard for us to sleep well in the hot summer night. But now we have to regrettably dish out this appliance from use, maybe temporarily until perhaps when our resources will allow.
To some such a decision may have been unthinkable, but reality drives us to one paramount priority. Provident living requires that we set aside some expense emitting dispensable items and retain the things that matter most.
Well, the consequence seems harsh; we could no longer sleep well during the night. Fans are not equitable substitutes. But we are left with no better choice. While I was thus struggling to get a good night rest, I spent my time writing over my thoughts about our retrogressing circumstance as a result of the invention of the electric meter. Perhaps without it our bills should have been all on flat rate. Anyway, I am hoping that our ailing bodies will eventually be able to adjust to the changing atmosphere and circumstances.
As to the high cost electricity---well, it is a problem not only in the Philippines, but throughout the world. It is not only about SURNECO in Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte. It seems to be a universal concern in different cooperative managed Electric Companies. In 2014, 27 mayors of Lanao del Sur appealed for the suspension of top officials of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative for plunder and corruption charges. (see http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/367614/lanao-sur-mayors-appeal-for-suspension-of-nea-administrator-lasureco-head/story/. )
Many other cooperatives have their own problems too.
To the SURNECO management I felt no offense or resentment. If they might have gone beyond the limits of their authority to the detriment of the cooperative consumers, I leave it up to the Provincial Board and the City Council to question. If they might have done us wrong, they will eventually be made to answer the demands of justice. Nonetheless, as of the immediate moment, it has got to be proven still.
Doing without our air conditioner might have been a discomfort, especially during our most needed night rest at this time of our graying. However, I am still grateful that there is afforded for us a brighter light than the oil or gas lamp and there is electricity flowing into our home to run the rest of our most needed labor-saving appliances.
