ERC says those using below 200kw/h monthly will pay their Meralco bill in installments

May 21, 2020

Households who are consuming less than 200 kilowatt per hour during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) will pay their electric bill to Meralco in six separate installments.

This was announced by Agnes Devanadera, chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in a Senate hearing on Thursday.

''Those consuming 200 kilowatt per hour per month, those who have no aircon. They have only basic electrical equipment or those are all they have. We can call them lifeliners now. We are extending the payment for six months,'' said Devanadera.

Devanadera said those who are consuming above 200 kilowatt hours as of Feb 20 will be given a reprieve  of four equal installments due on March, April and May.

On the complaints of consumers that their electric bill  during the ECQ was too high, Devanadera said ERC advisories are being finalized.

''It will say payment will be every 15th of the month starting June'', said Devanadera.

''Meralco will be required to explain. We don't see installment payment (in the electric bill). All we see is huge amount. People reacted to that,'' she said. DMS