MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Tolentino on Tuesday introduced a measure allowing staggered payments of utility bills to help people financially burdened during a state of calamity such as the new coronavirus pandemic. 1473, or the Three-Gives Law, Tolentino said public utilities, such as water and electric distributors, should allow consumers to settle their bills in three equal monthly installments without imposing any interest. ADVERTISEMENTHe said the staggered payments would start a month after a state of calamity had been lifted. “There shall be a moratorium on [payment of] all residential utility bills during the entire duration of a state of calamity,” he added. Under the proposed measure, Tolentino said public utilities would pay a fine of up to P1 million if they would discontinue their service to consumers who had failed to settle their unpaid bills.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 05, 2020 20:26 UTC