Power consumption during ECQ to be paid in 4 installments, says Meralco

Electricity consumed by customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) during the Luzon-wide enhanced community will be paid in four monthly installments.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Friday, Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said the move is in compliance with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) order to stagger electricity bills payment amid the ECQ.

Meralco has extended the payment for bills due from March 1 to April 30. However, customers will be billed based on their average three-month consumption since meter reading is suspended.

“For example, due date mo March 16 hindi mo nabayaran and due date mo ulit April 16 hindi rin nabayaran. Hindi ito bibiglain kasi may apat na buwan ka para ‘yun ay makumpleto,” Zaldarriaga said.

According to the ERC, the bills incurred and staggered in four succeeding billing months after the ECQ will be “reflected as a separate item in the electricity bill due on those succeeding months.”

“Ginawa ‘yan ng ERC para hindi naman mahirap sa panig ng consumers dahil sa ECQ,” Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco also assured its customers that there will be no disconnection of services for the entire Luzon-wide lockdown. --Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News