Senator Win Gatchalian said the government needs to come up with a solution to ease the burden of Filipino households, whose electricity bills are expected to pile up after a month of reprieve especially that the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been extended to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Gatchalian expressed concern that ordinary Filipinos, especially those belonging to the marginalized sector, might not have the financial capacity to pay their electricity bills of two months in full and risk having their electricity service disconnected.
“Stagger payment of the two months of electricity bills to not less than three months.”
The Senate Committee on Energy Chairman has urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to look for solutions that will ease the payment terms of consumers. The veteran legislator suggested that the payments of electricity bills be staggered to two months to not less than three months.
“Dahil nga marami sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi nakakapagtrabaho ngayon, lalo na yung mga ‘no work, no pay,’ ang panawagan natin sa ERC ay gumawa ng hakbang para hindi sila maputulan ng kuryente,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“I appeal to Meralco to temporarily waive its convenience fee.”
The senator also appealed to Meralco to temporarily waive its convenience fee so that consumers may be able to pay their electricity bill using the company’s mobile app without extra charges. According to Meralco, consumers who pay via the said app will have to pay an additional P47 convenience fee.
“For humanitarian reasons, let’s think of ways that will make the lives of our kababayans better and alleviate their suffering as we face this pandemic,” he said.