To ensure that the actual consumption of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) customers is billed accurately, the utility firm said it would continue to conduct meter readings despite the enforcement of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Also, Meralco said its business centers are also open to handle customer payments, concerns, inquiries and service applications.
In line with this, Meralco appealed to local government units (LGUs) and barangay officials to MECQ and allow them to read the meters of residences. The company guaranteed its strict adherence to the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) protocol against Covid-19. “Rest assured this will be unobtrusive and the deployed meter readers will be in complete personal protective equipment, bearing in mind safety procedures.”
The utility firm’s announcement was made on Wednesday after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned Meralco and other distribution utilities (DUs) against possible unexplained bill shocks.
Meralco, which services Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan, faced rampant complaints over the unexplained surge in the monthly electricity bills of consumers at the height of the summer community quarantine.
“The consumers cannot afford another round of bill shock in their electricity bills,” Gatchalian said.
When sought for comment, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “I believe that Meralco has learned from their mistakes already and will be more sensitive and responsible.
I’m equally concerned about service continuity and I have told them to let us know how the DOE (Department of Energy) can be of assistance.”
Meralco said it is also closely coordinating with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the DOE with regard to business operations continuation during the MECQ period.
Gatchalian, meanwhile, told the ERC and the DOE to do everything possible to assure consumers that they would be spared from bill shocks.
“Just like the time when the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended, the ERC undertook measures that somehow eased the burden of affected consumers by directing all DUs in the country such as Meralco to allow a staggered payment scheme. We’re hoping to hear a similar directive in the days to come.”
The ERC and the DOE, added Gatchalian, should immediately issue the corresponding directives applicable to all areas in the country in whatever classification of community quarantine they are in. The ERC has issued several advisories deferring the payment of electricity bills falling due within the ECQ, without interests, penalties, fees and other charges—the April 15 advisory covering the period March 16 to April 30, and the May 5 advisory extending the deferment period until May 15.
The utility firm’s announcement was made on Wednesday after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned Meralco and other distribution utilities (DUs) against possible unexplained bill shocks.
Meralco, which services Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan, faced rampant complaints over the unexplained surge in the monthly electricity bills of consumers at the height of the summer community quarantine.
“The consumers cannot afford another round of bill shock in their electricity bills,” Gatchalian said.
When sought for comment, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “I believe that Meralco has learned from their mistakes already and will be more sensitive and responsible.
I’m equally concerned about service continuity and I have told them to let us know how the DOE [Department of Energy] can be of assistance.”
Meralco said it is also closely coordinating with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the DOE with regard to business operations continuation during the MECQ period.
Gatchalian, meanwhile, told the ERC and the DOE to do everything possible to assure consumers that they would be spared from bill shocks.
“Just like the time when the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended, the ERC undertook measures that somehow eased the burden of affected consumers by directing all DUs in the country such as Meralco to allow a staggered payment scheme. We’re hoping to hear a similar directive in the days to come.”
The ERC and the DOE, added Gatchalian, should immediately issue the corresponding directives applicable to all areas in the country in whatever classification of community quarantine they are in. The ERC has issued several advisories deferring the payment of electricity bills falling due within the ECQ, without interests, penalties, fees and other charges—the April 15 advisory covering the period March 16 to April 30, and the May 5 advisory extending the deferment period until May 15.
