Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 6) — Major power distributor Meralco said Saturday it will not cut supply for low-income groups with past due electricity bills pending guidelines on the government’s extended no disconnection policy for so-called lifeliners amid this pandemic.
“Hindi tayo magdi-disconnect ng lifeliners batay na rin po sa kautusan,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Weekend, referring to the policy.
[Translation: We will not implement power disconnection on account of lifeliners’ non-payment of bills, based on the directive of the government.]
“Aantayin parin po namin kung ano ang mga [We are still waiting for the] guidelines coming from the DOE,” he added.
Early this week, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the recommendation of the Department of Energy to extend the no disconnection policy for lifeline customers, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday. In October 2020, the Energy Regulatory Commission prohibited power distributors from cutting the electricity supply of lifeline clients for the rest of the year.
“I understand based on news reports – another two months. But we will wait ano ‘yung reckoning point nung two months na ‘yun ano. So, this gives them more room to prepare kung sakali man na may mga utang sila,” he said.
[Translation: I understand based on news reports – another two months [of no disconnection.] But we will wait as to what the reckoning point of those two months is. So this gives them more time to prepare in case they have unsettled debts.]
Lifeline customers, or those who consume 100 kilowatt-hours or less per month, comprise nearly 40 percent of Meralco’s seven-million client base. Zaldarriaga said these consumers are from the marginalized sector, which already benefits from subsidized rates ranging from 20% to 100%. Despite the financial support, some still find it difficult to pay on time.
“Ito ‘yung nangangailangan ng tulong kaya may subsidiya ‘yung kanilang rates at additional help nga ito para sa kanila itong order ng gobyerno na ‘wag silang putulan for another period of time,” he said.
[Translation: These people are the ones who need subsidy in their rates and this government order not to cut their electricity is an additional help.]
