Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry is urging utility companies to postpone payments during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We are trying to work also on deferring some of the costs like payment of utility bills,” Lopez said.
The trade chief added that payment for amortization and loans shall be put off. Lowering interest rates shall also be considered.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) recently announced it will provide a 30-day payment extension for bills due from March 1 to Apr. 14, 2020.
PrimeWater, a water service provider in Bulacan, also gives payment extension for 30 days for bills due from March 17 to 31, 2020.
“The government is ready to provide regulatory relief to ease the burden of Filipinos.”
The trade head said the government is ready to provide regulatory relief to ease the burden of Filipinos as restrictions due to the enhanced community quarantine prevent some workers from going to work and earning. A number of companies are implementing “no work, no pay” policy.
“From the economic cluster headed by Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez (III), he announced last night that there is a P27-billion package from government agencies to help businesses and workers affected by the Covid-19,” Lopez said in Filipino.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire island of Luzon on enhanced community quarantine until April 12, 2020 to further limit the movement of people and stop the spread of COVID-19.