Meralco begins meter deposit refund

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ largest electric company has already begun refunding meter deposits with corresponding interest to its customers as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said in a statement. Eligible residential customers with minimum power consumption will be the first ones to receive their meter deposit refunds, the Lopez-led firm announced in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). These clients—who paid the meter deposit from 1987 to 2004—were already notified where to get their refunds on their respective electric bills, the company said. “They will be followed by those with bigger consumption and then it will be the turn of qualified non-residential customers or those who paid the meter deposit required by law from 1987 to 2006," Meralco said, citing a the ERC’s Resolution No. 8, series of 2008, ordering the refund. “The MDR schedule aims to ensure customer convenience through orderly processing in claiming the MDR," said Meralco First Vice President and Head of Customer Retail Services Roberto R. Almazora. Almazora also said the MDR procedures, on the other hand, will ensure that the rightful customer who paid the meter deposit will be reimbursed the principal amount and the interest the law has set. “When notified in the electric bill, eligible residential customers will have to go to the Business Center specified in the bill, fill out a Refund Application Form available in the Business Centers or on the Meralco website, and attach required documents to begin the processing of their MDR," said Almazora. “They can choose to receive the MDR amount in cash if the MDR amount is P4,000 or less; in check if the MDR amount is more than P4,000; or apply the amount to future electric bills; or apply the amount to current unpaid bills or amounts to be paid to Meralco." For Registered Customers (RCs), needed documents are: original Meter Deposit Receipt, filled-out Refund Application Form (available at Meralco Business Centers or downloadable from the Meralco website www.meralco.com.ph), one valid ID with picture and signature and original copy of your electric bill where your MDR schedule is indicated which is not a requirement but will help in verification. In addition to these documents, authorized representatives of Registered Customers, will also need to bring one valid ID with picture and signature. If he is authorized to receive the MDR amount, he will need a letter of authorization from and signed by the Registered Customer, Legal Heir or Successor-in-Interest that states that he can receive the MDR amount. If he is authorized to sign the Refund Application Form and also receive the MDR amount, also needed is a Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) allowing him to do so. Acceptable IDs include driver’s license, passport, Professional Regulation Commission license, SSS ID, GSIS ID, TIN ID, Philhealth ID, Senior Citizen ID, Postal ID, Original NBI Clearance, Firearm’s License, Police Clearance (Computerized Print-out), New Comelec Voter’s ID (Scanned and Printed on Comelec Security Paper), Credit Card. Xerox copies of IDs need to be submitted. Customers interested in securing more details about refund can visit the company’s website (www.meralco.com.ph), email meterdeposit@meralco.com.ph or call 1622-8888 or 632-8888, the company said. - GMANews.TV