MANILA ELECTRIC Co. (Meralco) said on Tuesday it has suspended disconnection activities in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Lucena City in Quezon until Sept. 7, after the government extended the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status in these areas.  

In a statement issued on Viber, the distribution utility said the “no disconnection” policy will continue to apply to customers who have not yet settled their obligations until next week.  

“Meralco encourages customers to reach out, so they can discuss and help clarify their concerns, and even come up with payment terms, if really needed. Meralco remains to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns,” the firm said.  

“Meralco will continue vital operations such as meter reading, bill delivery, and service crews will continue to work around the clock to serve its customers,” it added.  

Earlier this month, the Department of Energy issued an advisory urging power distributors based in Metro Manila and 13 other areas to withhold disconnection activities in their respective franchise areas under strict quarantine classifications.  

In an Aug. 6 advisory, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi advised all electricity end-users to immediately coordinate with their distribution utility on “amicable” payment settlements as soon as the strict quarantine levels are lifted. He also encouraged consumers who can pay and settle their bills to do so within their due dates to ensure the continuous operations of power utilities, among others.   

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.  

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., which has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Angelica Y. Yang 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR