Bernadette E. Tamayo January 13, 2021
SEN. Ana Theresia Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to extend its installment-based payment scheme for delinquent consumers.
The senator made the appeal as Meralco began sending out notices of disconnection to consumers who were behind in their monthly payments.
“Accommodating this installment-based payment scheme will also ensure that more Filipinos will not get disconnected and will remain as Meralco’s customers, which will be beneficial in the long run,” Hontiveros said.
She warned that strict payment policies might lead to a “disconnected nation” that would make life harder for poor families and derail efforts to revive the economy.
The senator called on Meralco to work with the Energy Regulatory Commission and explore the possibility of extending its debt restructuring program, which offers flexible or staggered payment options for consumers who are having difficulties paying their monthly bills.
“Meralco’s earnings in the past decade have reached P10 billion annually, and remained profitable even amid [the] pandemic, with P21 billion total profit in 2020,” Hontiveros said.
She voiced hopes that Meralco would work with the government towards programs that would prevent the denial of power services to Filipinos who are struggling amid the pandemic.
“Electricity is an essential need especially in this time of pandemic,” Hontiveros stressed.
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