By Alex Galang | July 11, 2026

SUBIC, Zambales — Congressman Jay Khonghun said he will require the management of local electric power companies to appear in a committee hearing at the House of Representatives to explain the alleged exorbitant power rates they charge in areas under the Zambales First District.

Khonghun said the House of Representatives will issue a subpoena for the Zambales II Electric Cooperative (ZAMECO II) and the Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company (OEDC) amid mounting complaints from the public over excessive power charges.

“We were not pleased with their explanation,” Khonghun said after meeting with ZAMECO II general manager Romwil de Jesus to determine the cause of complaints from power concessioners.

“The public must have lower rates that will truly ease their burden,” he added.

Khonghun disclosed that some of the complaints he received came from families who said their monthly electric bills suddenly jumped from P1,500 to almost P6,000.

He said there should be a satisfactory answer from the power firms as to why these cases happened, as well as concrete measures to lessen the effect of spiraling power cost.

ZAMECO II has about 98,000 subscribers in the towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, and Cabangan. OEDC, which covers Olongapo City, has about 40,000 customers.

Khonghun said he will continue to monitor the operations of the two power distributors to ensure that the public gets the just service they deserve. ▲