Meralco resumes to charge PHP 47 convenience fee for online transactions

by Jewel Sta Ana · June 12, 2020
https://www.yugatech.com/news/meralco-resumes-to-charge-php-47-convenience-fee-for-online-transactions/#sthash.ndBFueY1.dpbs

Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) will resume the charging of PHP 47 convenience fees to consumers who wish to pay their bills online after Metro Manila and other cities reopen payment channels and business centers.

According to the report by Inquirer, the energy distribution company only waived the convenience fees from March 16 to May 15 in accordance with the directives of the government during the enhanced community quarantine. Establishments like payment centers were closed during the said period.

MERALCO senior vice president and head of Legal and Corporate Governance Office William Pamintuan represented the company in a hearing facilitated by the House Committee on Public Accountability and Good Government a few days ago. The session discussed the sudden increase in the company’s last billing statements during the lockdown period.

Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo, however, suggested the company to extend the waiving of convenience fee as not all customers have private cars to go in payment centers.

MERALCO waived the fee last month after the Department of Energy received complaints from consumers. It also announced the refunding of the convenience fee to its affected customers.

Recently, the Energy Regulatory Commission recently issued a Show Cause Order to the company about its alleged violation during the Enhance Community Quarantine and Modified Enhance Community Quarantine.

MERALCO hasn’t announced yet as to when it will implement the additional convenience fee.