Meralco applauded for stretched grace

December 23, 2020 02:30 AM By Chito Lozada
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Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) acquired a supporter at the House of Representatives in House Committee on Energy chair Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo for heeding the request of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to prolong the grace period to electricity users in settling their unpaid bills without fear of disconnection until January 31 next year.

“This is the best Christmas gift Meralco can give its millions of customers as we continue to fight the effects of this pandemic, both health and economic-wise,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo made the statement after Velasco bared the Philippines’ biggest power distributor had granted his request to extend their no-disconnection policy until the end of January 2021.

Lifeline customers
Meralco’s no-disconnection policy for unpaid bills was supposed to end on 31 December before Velasco stepped in and made his request. The extended grace period was confirmed by Meralco president Ray Espinosa.

The no-disconnection policy, though only targeted Meralco consumers with monthly consumptions of 200 kilowatt per hour and below, will benefit more than 3 million electric consumers, comprising about 47 percent of the power giant’s customer Arroyo also appealed to the electric cooperatives (EC) and distribution utilities (DU) all over the country to accord the same gesture to their customers.

Coops should follow suit
“As Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, I would request the same for electric cooperatives nationwide as well as other private distribution utilities to benefit the rest of our countrymen,” Arroyo noted.

At the same time, the Pampanga congressman bared his committee would soon be calling a hearing to help the electric cooperatives and DU find ways in assisting their clienteles.

“The House Committee on Energy intends to call for a hearing soonest with EC and private DU so that we could determine how these EC and DU could extend assistance to their clients in light of the current pandemic,” Arroyo said as he noted that the EC could not afford to grant the same privilege to their customers as that of Meralco as their thrust is to provide service and not to make profit.

“We all need to sacrifice a little to help our country,” he added.