MANILA, Philippines – A consumer rights group has asked whether electric service provider Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has been taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdowns to get away with sudden high electricity rates and interruptions. ADVERTISEMENT“We cannot help but feel that Meralco is using the ECQ as a convenient scapegoat to cover up their shortcomings. 11469 or the Bayanihan Heal as One Act has suspended payments of utilities and rent for residential units in areas under the ECQ. After the ECQ was placed to limit the coronavirus’s local transmission, work was suspended except for essential frontline services. “Even if these payments are suspended, people still have to make good of them after the quarantine.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 11, 2020 11:48 UTC