Meralco extends suspension of disconnection activities

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Monday announced the extension of the suspension of disconnection activities in its franchise area until the end of the month, as the NCR Plus bubble remains under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Meralco First Vice President and Chief Commercial Ferdinand Geluz said the extension is in efforts to provide customers enough relief and time for them to settle their bills.

"Given the ongoing pandemic situation and the latest quarantine measures, and always conscious of the challenges our customers are facing amid these trying times, we will continue to put on hold all disconnection activities until April 30, 2021," he said in an advisory.

Meralco last month announced the suspension of all disconnection activities until April, given the reimposition of the strictest restrictions under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The government placed NCR Plus—Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan—under the strictest ECQ starting March 29. It was set to last only until April 4, but was extended for another week until April 11.

Malacanang on Sunday announced that the NCR Plus bubble will shift to a modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) which will be in place from April 12 to April 30.

In its latest advisory, Meralco said business operations including meter reading and bill delivery activities will continue throughout the MECQ.

"Our continued operations will ensure that actual consumption for the month will be billed accordingly. But rest assured there will be strict implementation of health protocols in order to safeguard the health and safety of both customers and our personnel," said Geluz.

Meralco constructs, operates, and maintains electric distribution systems in the cities and municipalities of Bulacan, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Rizal, as well as certain areas in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and Quezon.

Shares in the company closed Monday at P282.20 apiece, up by P1.60 or 0.57% from last Friday's finish of P280.60.—AOL, GMA News