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Customers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) now have until October 31 to settle their unpaid bills before their electricity lines will be cut off.

On Monday, August 24, Meralco president and chief executive officer Ray Espinosa heeded lawmakers’ suggestion to extend its no-power disconnection period for consumers who have so far failed to pay their bills when their areas were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Bilang tugon sa inyong request, i-extend ko po ‘yong suspension ng disconnection hanggang end ng October para mas mabigyan ng panahon ang ating mga customers na makalikom ng sapat na pambayad sa kanilang mga bills,” Espinosa said.

(As a response to your request, I will be extending the suspension of disconnection until end of October to give more time for our customers to save money to pay for their bills.)

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The Meralco chief was speaking during the House committee on good government and public accountability’s 5th hearing on the sudden spike of Meralco bills during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Meralco had earlier set the deadline for the payment of unpaid electricity bills until September 30 of this year only. 

On Monday, Espinosa said some 2.77 million lifeline customers  of Meralco – those who consume less than 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month – will also be getting discounts in their distribution charges, with the total relief pegged at P101 million.

Espinosa said they agreed to provide the discount following an earlier suggestion of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for Meralco to find ways to help its indigent customers. 

“Bilang tugon po sa mungkahi ni Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, kami po ay magbibigay ng relief or ayuda sa kanila equivalent to a total of P101 million mula sa aming distribution charge…. So makakatanggap sila ng diskuwento sa kanilang distribution charges,” Espinosa said. 

(As a response to the suggestion of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, we are providing relief to them equivalent to a total of P101 million from our distribution charges…. So they will be receiving discounts in their distribution charges.)

Meralco is also slashing its rates for the 4th straight month in August. This downward adjustment will mean a P41 decrease in the August bill for a household that consumes 200 kWh. – Rappler.com