Meralco: No disconnection for unpaid May-July bills
Meralco has suspended electricity disconnections for unpaid bills from May to July 2026 following an order from the Energy Regulatory Commission. This measure aims to assist consumers amid high billing complaints and economic pressures from the Middle East conflict.
Why it matters
Utility regulation and consumer protection are vital during periods of economic instability and rising energy costs.
MANILA, Philippines - Customers with unpaid electricity bills from May to July will not face service disconnection, according to the Manila Electric Co.
Even after July, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said customers with pending billing concerns will not be disconnected while their cases are under investigation.
"Rest assured that we have been diligently reviewing and resolving every customer concern brought to our attention," Zaldarriaga told reporters yesterday.
The assurance comes amid a wave of billing complaints that have circulated on social media in recent weeks, with Meralco facing mounting criticism from consumers over "unusually high" power bills.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) earlier ordered a nationwide suspension of electricity disconnections for the May to July 2026 billing periods amid the ongoing Middle East war.
The ERC also directed all power distribution utilities like Meralco to implement staggered or deferred payment schemes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in