DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental July 6 (PIA) -- Local power distribution firm Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO)-II granted a 30-day extension for the payment of electricity bills with due dates falling under June 16 to July 15, 2021.

NORECO II Information Officer Sharon Araula made the announcement on July 6, as a similar advisory was also posted at NORECO-II’s official Facebook page.

The move is one of the electric cooperative’s measures during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) as prescribed also by a directive from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Consumers will be able to pay their dues without incurring interests, interests and charges.

Any unpaid balance after the 30-day grace period will be payable in three equal monthly installments without incurring interests, penalties, and other charges.

Araula added that disconnection for unpaid electricity bills is temporarily suspended due to the MECQ and this will resume after the MECQ period.

However, Araula still encouraged Member-Consumer-Owners (MCOs) of the electric cooperative who have the capacity to pay their bills to settle their power bill on or before their due date to ensure the undisrupted cash flow in the cooperative as well as the continuous supply of electricity in its coverage area.  

NORECO-II’s franchise area covers the cities and towns from Pamplona to Basay.

Negros Oriental was placed under MECQ from June 16 until July 15 to curb the rising COVID-19 cases in the province.

Araula added that since NORECO-II will be operating on a skeleton workforce basis, issuance of official receipts for online payments may take a week and application for new connection and net metering will be processed for an extended period.

Other power line maintenance operations that can be deferred during the MECQ are also suspended and will resume after the MECQ period. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from NORECO-II)