By Alithea De Jesus
The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) has announced its decision to suspend the disconnection of power supply for households consuming 200 kWh per month and below with unpaid electric bills until January 31, 2021.
Following the letter of House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa last December 14, requesting him to extend its no-disconnection policy in keeping the “bayanihan” spirit given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In his letter response dated Dec. 14, Espinosa informed Velasco that after “careful evaluation and in consideration” of his request, Meralco will extend its no-disconnection policy for non-payment of bills from Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021.
House Speaker Velasco welcomed the decision of Meralco. “The extended grace period being given to our fellow Filipinos during the holiday season will provide much needed reprieve to those reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic and natural calamities,” Velasco said.
“This good gesture on the part of Meralco will go a long way in helping our kababayans feel secure this Christmas,” he added.
The House leader had earlier written a letter to Meralco president Ray Espinosa requesting the utility giant to extend the no-disconnection policy for the entire Christmas season until the end of January 2021.
According to Velasco, extending the no-disconnection period would help ease the burden of Meralco customers grappling with the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“We appreciate that Meralco had extended the same courtesy during the height of the nationwide lockdown and we expect that the company will be as considerate this yuletide season,” Velasco said.
Meanwhile, Attorney Espinosa said the extended grace period will benefit more than three million Meralco customers with consumption of 200 kilowatt per hour and below during the billing month of December 2020.
The number represents around 47 percent of Meralco’s total customer base, according to Espinosa.
Velasco thanked Espinosa for “showing true bayanihan spirit and empathizing with the plight of our indigent countrymen.”
“This is how we overcome the devastating effects of this pandemic, with leaders from both private and public sectors working together to make lives better,” Velasco said.
