In a time of financial uncertainty, a mother from Iloilo City found an unexpected lifeline when she received a refund from MORE Power. With her salary delayed and the last of her household’s cooking gas used up, the refund arrived just in time, offering some much-needed relief.
Julie Ann Arab, one of the many recipients, shared, “The refund came just when we needed it. We were out of gas, and with the late salary, it was a big help, especially when we had no extra funds.”
MORE Power has successfully returned a total of P2.8 million in bill deposit refunds to 685 consumers who maintained an excellent record of on-time payments. This initiative began over a year ago, with the distribution utility working diligently to ensure that eligible customers receive what is rightfully theirs.
Between May 2023 and August 2024, a total of 1,307 customer accounts reached the 36-month threshold since their connection with MORE Power, making them potentially eligible for the refund. However, only 996 customers met the strict criteria of having consistently paid their bills on time over the past three years.
Just this week, MORE Power disbursed additional refunds to deserving consumers. Mrs. Doroteo, one of the recipients, emphasized the importance of timely payments, saying, “It’s important to pay on time, without delay, to continue receiving refunds from MORE Power.”
Another consumer, Resty Minerva, expressed satisfaction with the refund process, stating, “MORE Power is following through on the ERC-mandated refund. It’s a big help, and we can use it for our household needs.”
Melcon, another satisfied customer, highlighted the convenience of modern payment methods, saying, “As soon as the bill arrives, I pay immediately through GCash.”
As of the latest update, 685 customers have successfully processed and received their refunds, with MORE Power continuing to fulfill its obligation under the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. This legislation mandates that distribution utilities refund the bill deposit of customers who have paid their bills on time for three consecutive years (36 months) without any record of service disconnection.
The bill deposit is a necessary requirement for new meter applicants before the installation of their meters, but for those who consistently pay on time, it’s now becoming a welcome return.
