Meralco to comply with extension of no-disconnection policy for lifeline customers

Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the country’s largest power distributor, said Thursday it will comply with the government’s directive to further extend the no- disconnection policy for customers with low monthly electricity consumption.

Malacañang earlier announced that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recommendation to extend the policy for the whole month of February. 

"We will comply with the government's directive and will wait for the specific guidelines from the Department of Energy. We would like to assure our customers that we will continue to assist all of them in addressing their billing issues,” Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco spokesperson, said in a statement.

To recall, Meralco has extended its no-disconnection period until January 31, 2021.

Meralco’s extension period for the no-disconnection policy is longer than the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) order to not to implement any disconnection on account of non-payment of bills until December 31, 2020 for consumers with monthly consumption “not higher than twice the ERC maximum lifeline consumption level.” 

“According to the DOE, while lifeliners comprise 32% of the customer base, they only account for 3% of electricity sales. So, this is very doable,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.

Duterte also urged Congress to extend the subsidy for marginalized power consumers for a period of 30 years or from 2021 to 2051, according to Nograles. — BM, GMA News