There have been no power and water disconnection in areas under granular lockdown in Metro Manila, according to Meralco and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO).
According to Meralco Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand Geluz, the power distributor is still undecided on continuing disconnection activity in Metro Manila now that it is under Alert Level 4.
What is certain, he said, is that there are no disconnections in the areas under granular lockdown.
Geluz also assured that the power outage would not be sudden and would allow consumers to pay.
In case there is no immediate payment, the consumer can go to the Meralco offices to ask for payment in installments, according to Geluz.
As for water, the disconnection activity of Maynilad and Manila Water will resume in October except for the areas with the granular lockdown.
According to MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Patrick Ty, if there is no payment yet, one can also approach the water service provider to split the payment.
If receiving a disconnection notice, there are still 14 days to seek payment so that the water line will not be cut off.
On September 16, Metro Manila was placed on the alert level system from enhanced community quarantine. Alert Level 4 will last in the capital region until September 30.
Electricity, water disconnection suspended during granular lockdowns in NCR
The implementation of granular lockdowns by LGUs has been intensified at the alert level system.
Meanwhile, the Senate approved second reading bills to give a 25 -year franchise to Maynilad Water Services and the Manila Water Company.
Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services, defended House Bill 9422 and House Bill 9423.
Under the bills, Maynilad will continue to serve the West Zone Service area of Metro Manila and Cavite, while Manila Water will serve the east zone of Metro Manila and the province of Rizal.
Poe had earlier said that by granting the franchise, the two water concessionaires are expected to improve water flow to their customers.
She said they should find an alternative water supply when there is a service interruption.
If they violate the terms of the franchise, they can be fined or fired from the franchise.
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