Meralco's P47 convenience fee is for using app and is voluntary —spokesperson

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Wednesday clarified that paying the P47 convenience fee for using the Meralco mobile application is not mandatory. 

“This is purely voluntary. Ibig sabihin, if you do not want to pay ng P47, you can opt not to use the app,” Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga told GMA News during a virtual interview.

“Early on naman, when you look at your account, tatanungin naman sa ‘yo, do you want to proceed? Kasi kung ayaw mong mag-proceed, if you don’t want to pay the P47, that’s ok. You can utilize other online options as well,” Zaldarriaga added.

Other payment options include Meralco online, Meralco business centers, Bayad Center branches and app, partner banks and mobile wallets such as GCash and Smart Money.

Zaldarriaga also clarified that the P47 convenience fee, which was implemented even before the enhanced community quarantine, does not go to Meralco.

“That is the fee that goes to the payment platform, to the one facilitating the online payment, 'yung third party online payment platform,” he explained.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in a Facebook video, said his department has asked Meralco to explain why it was charging the P47 convenience fee.

Zaldarriaga said they are open to an investigation.

“We are ready to explain. We have been very transparent from the start and we continue to engage those who would wish to get to the bottom of the issue. Wala naman po tayong tinatago. Wala naman po tayong ginagawang mali,” he said. —KG, GMA News