Meralco resumes disconnection activities in areas under GCQ

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has resumed service disconnection activities following the government’s announcement that areas in the so-called National Capital Region Plus will be under general community quarantine (GCQ) with “heightened restrictions” until end-May.

The utility firm assured customers that it will be “very considerate” in the conduct of activities related to the management of the unpaid overdue bills.

“Given the heightened restrictions still being implemented during the GCQ, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times,” Ferdinand Geluz, Meralco First Vice Presidnet and Chief Commercial Officer, said.

For those who are challenged to pay their overdue bills in full, customers are advised to get in touch with Meralco so that a lighter schedule may be arranged, or else standard disconnection procedures will apply.

“We hope our continued consideration will ease the burden of our customers, providing additional time for them to settle their bills,” Geluz said.

Customers may get in touch with the company safely and easily by sending a private or direct message thru Facebook or Twitter, or call its 16211 hotline. If they still need to go to the Meralco Business Centers (BCs), they may opt to book an online appointment through the Meralco website for a safe and hassle-free transaction.

Meralco reiterated that it continues all vital operations, such as meter reading, following the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and will also continue to work round the clock to serve its customers.

“Meralco business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery activities, will of course still continue throughout the GCQ. 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,” Geluz said.

The ERC, in an advisory last year, encouraged customers who have the ability to pay to settle their bills within the original due date “to help manage the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity.”

In April, Meralco reported that it posted a 66-percent increase in reported income in the first quarter, while core profit fell 11 percent to P5.1 billion compared to year-ago figures.

Meralco Chief Finance Officer Betty Siy-Yap said the company’s net income was largely attributed to foreign exchange gain, re-evaluation of Meralco’s investment in Global Business Power Corp. and non-core expense adjustment.