Meralco Resumes Disconnection
Meralco Resumes Disconnection Notices Delivery in NCR as Quarantine Restrictions Eased
The power distributor assures customers that receiving a disconnection notice doesn’t mean the immediate cutting of their electricity service.
By Cris Laraño
Published September 29, 2021
Meralco encourages its customers with billing concerns to get in touch for assistance.
After government’s decision to ease quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila, Meralco said it will resume delivering disconnection notices in the capital region to customers with long-overdue bills.
Deliveries of disconnection notices in areas within the National Capital Region that will be placed under granular lockdown due to high rates of COVID-19 infections will remain suspended until quarantine restrictions are relaxed.
Although the travel and health restrictions in Metro Manila were tempered starting September 16, Meralco said the delivery of service termination notices only started a week later or on September 23.
Meralco has held off delivering notices of disconnection for some time as it recognizes the hardships that its close to eight million customers have been going through since the government imposed strict quarantine restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 that has infected over 2 million Filipinos, claimed more than 37,000 lives, and sent the Philippine economy into a recession. Meralco has shouldered the cost of unpaid bills as part of its pledge to keep the lights on during this pandemic.
A notice of disconnection, however, doesn’t mean the immediate termination of a customer's electricity service. Instead, it gives the customer ample time to settle his unpaid bills or talk to Meralco to work out a reasonable payment arrangement.
“We encourage customers with billing concerns to reach out, so we can assist them and even come up with payment terms if needed. We will continue to be very considerate of the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times,” Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco FVP and Chief Commercial Officer, said.
In neighboring areas of the NCR covered by Meralco’s franchise and remain under modified community quarantine such as Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Lucena City in Quezon delivery of termination notices will remain suspended until the alert level of the lockdown is lowered, Meralco said.
Meralco added that disconnection activities will remain suspended in areas that will be placed under granular lockdown by local government units.
For Meralco customers seeking easier payment terms, they may get in touch conveniently and safely by sending a private or direct message through Meralco Facebook and Twitter accounts, or call the (02) 16211 hotline.
If they still need to go to the Meralco Business Centers (BCs), they may book an online appointment through the Meralco website for a safe and hassle-free transaction. Meralco BCs are open to accept payments, applications and customer assistance. Business hours are from 7am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and 7am to 12pm on Saturdays for payment transactions only.
For large corporations and national government accounts, you can contact your Relationship Manager, call the 16210 business hotline, or email corporatepartners@meralco.com.ph. SMEs who have queries or require assistance can call the business hotline, email biz@meralco.com.ph, or get in touch with their Biz Partner Manager.
Meralco crews will also continue to be on standby 24/7 to respond to any emergencies and reports.
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For concerns you may reach Meralco through the following channels: residential hotline (02) 16211, business hotline 16210, email: customercare@meralco.com.ph. For businesses, you may also contact your Relationship Manager or Biz Partner Manager.
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Story originally posted on Power Club.