The Manila Electric Co. ( Meralco ) said on Tuesday that it is again suspending disconnection activities in the Province of Laguna begin...
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Tuesday that it is again suspending disconnection activities in the Province of Laguna beginning August 1 to 15 and the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20, 2021. The announcement came after the Government placed NCR on ECQ from August 6 to 20 and the Province of Laguna on MECQ from August 1 to 15.
The rest of Meralco’s
franchise area remains under GCQ with Heightened Restrictions
particularly Bulacan, Cavite, the Province of Rizal and Lucena City from
August 1 to 15, while
Batangas and Quezon Province remain to be under GCQ for the month of
August.
“Given
the current situation, we continue to take into consideration the
challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times. Thus, we
will again suspend all disconnection
activities in NCR and Laguna to help ease the burden of our customers
with the needed relief and additional time to settle their bills,”
Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco FVP and Chief Commercial Officer, said.
He
added, “We encourage customers, particularly those with concerns with
their previous bills, to reach out, so we can discuss and help clarify
their concerns and to even come up
with payment terms, if really needed. We also have several platforms by
which you can reach us. We hope customers will also take advantage of
this period to avoid the inconvenience of having to queue long lines
once the ECQ is again lifted.”
For customers in areas under GCQ, Geluz assured that Meralco will continue to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns.
Meralco
reiterated that it will continue vital operations such as meter
reading, following the order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),
and will also continue to work round
the clock to serve its customers.
“Meralco
business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery
activities, will continue throughout the ECQ. Our continued operations
will ensure that actual consumption
for the month will be billed accordingly. But rest assured there will
be strict implementation of health protocols in order to safeguard the
health and safety of both customers and our personnel,” Geluz said.
The
ERC, in an advisory last year, encouraged customers who can pay to
settle their bills within the original due date “to help manage the cash
flow in the energy supply chain and
ensure the continuous supply of electricity."
In
minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and ensuring everyone’s
safety, Geluz reminded customers to always keep safe and advised
customers to use Meralco’s various digital
platforms such as Meralco Online and Meralco
App, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, call its 16211 hotline and book an
appointment through the Online Customer Appointment (OCA) system before
going to Meralco Business Centers (BCs). Meralco BCs will be on skeleton
workforce, for any inquiries and concerns on billing and payments as a precaution to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Meralco
BCs will remain open to accept payments, applications and customer
assistance. Business hours will be from 7am to 3pm, in compliance to
IATF guidelines, from Monday to Friday
and 7am to 12pm on Saturdays.
“Meralco crews will also continue to be on standby 24/7 to respond to any emergencies and reports,” Geluz added.
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