Distribution utility Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Friday that disconnection activities will continue in parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) that are not covered by granular lockdowns, following the government’s recent extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) with alert level 4 status in Metro Manila.
In a statement issued on Viber on Friday, Meralco said that the disconnections will last until Oct. 15.
It will, however, be holding off from disconnections in areas under granular lockdown by their respective local governments.
Meanwhile, the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Lucena City in Quezon will not experience such activities until Oct. 15 since they are still under the modified enhanced community quarantine, a stricter lockdown classification.
Meralco added that it will carry on with its disconnection activities in other parts of the power provider’s franchise area, including Batangas and Quezon since these are under GCQ with heightened restrictions.
“Meralco remains to be very considerate during this period and vowed to assist customers with their concerns,” the firm said.
It also encouraged customers to reach out to them to discuss and clarify concerns, and come up with payment terms for their unsettled power bills.
Meralco added it will continue meter reading and bill delivery during this period.
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., which has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Angelica Y. Yang