Meralco’s PHP 47 convenience fee questioned in ERC

The National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms, Inc. (NASECORE), has requested the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to look into the convenience fee being charged by Meralco when using its online channels to pay for electricity bills.

According to Meralco, customers who will pay using their credit or debit card through the mobile app or website are charged with additional PHP 47USD 0.80INR 68EUR 0.76CNY 6 convenience fee per transaction on top of their total bill’s amount. The convenience fee funds the secure and reliable payment facility of Meralco through its payment gateway partners. The electric company also clarified that the fee is credited directly to its payment partners.

Should customers want to pay multiple bills at the same time, they may do it on Meralco Online. Make sure to settle it in one transaction to pay the convenience fee on a one-time basis. Do note that only successful transactions will be charged with the convenience fee.

For those who don’t want to pay the additional fee, they may settle their monthly electric bill through Meralco Business Centers, Bayad Centers, partner banks, and mobile e-wallet partners. You may check the full list here.

UPDATE (May 21, 9:57PM): According to a report by Inquirer, Meralco apologized for the inconvenience fee and waived it in light of the ongoing quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. A refund will be credited to those who were charged with the fee during the quarantine period.