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MANILA, Philippines – Major power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will extend its policy of not disconnecting due to non-payment of electricity bills until the end of January 2021, President Lord Allan Velasco announced Sunday.
Velasco previously wrote a letter to Meralco President Ray Espinosa requesting the extension of the no-disconnect policy for the entire Christmas season until the end of January next year.
“The extended grace period granted to our fellow Filipinos during the Christmas season will provide much-needed respite to those reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic and natural calamities,” Velasco said in a statement.
“This good gesture by Meralco will go a long way toward making our Kababayans feel safe this Christmas,” he added.
Velasco said the extension of the no-disconnect period would help ease the burden on Meralco consumers affected by the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his reply letter to Velasco dated December 14, Espinosa informed Velasco that after a “careful and considerate evaluation” of the House leader’s request, Meralco will extend its policy of non-disconnection due to non-payment of bills. from December 31, 2020 to January 31. , 2021.
Espinosa said the extended grace period will benefit more than three million Meralco customers with consumption of 200 kilowatt hours or less during the December billing month.
He said the figure represents about 47 percent of Meralco’s total customer base.
In October, the Energy Regulatory Commission prohibited distributors from disconnecting the accounts of households with low energy consumption due to non-payment of bills until the end of 2020.
EDV
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