Customers queue at Meralco branch to appeal pending disconnections

A long line formed outside Meralco’s Commonwealth branch on Monday as consumers sought to appeal their pending disconnection over unpaid dues.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s “24 Oras” report, the line reached the shoulder of Commonwealth Avenue.

Among those lined up was Analiza Dado, who had not been able to pay her electric bill since September last year due to the impact of the pandemic.

“Ang problema namin, saan po kami kukuha ngayong wala po kaming mga trabaho? Marami pong nawalan ng trabaho, tulad po ako, tulad po ‘yung kapatid ko. Saan po kami kukuha?” she asked.

Maria Elena Stanley, meanwhile, accumulated a bill of over P5,000 after the household income took a hit.

“Nagtipid po talaga kami sa pagkain para hindi po maputulan. Kagaya no’ng bigas, dati nakakabili kami ng sampung kilo, ngayon konti na lang po para lang mairaos. Saka ‘yung ulam po, laging sardinas,” she said.

Meralco’s no-disconnection policy expired on January 31.

Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga advised consumers who received a disconnection notice to immediately proceed to the nearest branch.

“Kung tutungo sa ating tanggapan when they desire to somehow find a common ground, kami sa Meralco hahanap po kami ng solusyon. Hindi po natin priority ang disconnection,” he said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News