Meralco extends no disconnection policy to end of October

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Monday announced that it is extending its no disconnection policy until the end of October from the initial date of September 30.

Meralco president and CEO Ray Espinosa made the announcement during the inquiry of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the sudden spike of electric bills during the enhanced community quarantine period.

"Bilang tugon sa inyong request, ie-extend ko yung suspension ng disconnection hanggang end of October, para mas mabigyan ng panahon ang ating mga customers na makalikom ng sapat na pambayad sa kanilang mga bills," Espinosa told lawmakers.

Initially, Meralco senior vice president William Pamintuan assured the public that there will be no disconnection of service for customers who have not paid their bills yet until September 30.

House panel chair Jonathan Sy-Alvarado then appealed if the no disconnection policy could be extended.

"Kami dito ay personal naming pinapakiusap na huwag naman sanang mag-Pasko nang madilim ang tahanan ng ating mga kababayan. Pero alam namin na magiging malaking pasanin din naman sa Meralco kung hindi kayo makakasingil hanggang ganun katagal," he said.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, sana lahat ng kayang magbayad sa kuryente ay magbayad tayo. Pagbigyan ng palugit ng Meralco yung mga talagang hindi kayang magbayad ng kuryente," he added.

Apart from extending the no disconnection policy, Espinosa also said that they would also provide relief to 2.77 million "lifeline" customers, or those who consume 100 kWh and below.

"Kami ay magbibigay ng relief or ayuda sa kanila equivalent to a total of P101 million mula sa aming distribution charge. Ang pagbabasehan namin dito ay ang mga lifeline customers as of February 2020," he said.

"Ito ay ibibigay natin sa lahat sa kanila. So makakatanggap sila ng diskwento sa kanilang distribution charge equivalent to a total of P101 million. Yan ay ibibigay natin as an additional credit sa kanilang bills na darating," he added. — RSJ, GMA News