Refunds Await: You're Getting That 47-Peso Meralco Convenience Fee Back

Paying bills the traditional way during quarantine is no longer allowed. But, instead of long lines and manually counting your cash, you can easily pay for them online. Bills have racked up for some, and that extra online payment fee doesn’t really help.

Meralco said on May 21 that it is refunding the 47-peso online payment fee customers shouldered when they paid their electricity bill via the Meralco app during the enhanced community quarantine. 

In a letter addressed to Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Espinosa apologized for the convenience fee and said that the electric company will shoulder the fee instead.

"I sincerely apologize for this lapse. Meralco will shoulder the convenience fee charged during the aforesaid ECQ period and refund the customers the fees they paid during this period," Espinosa said.

Espinosa clarified that Meralco made no money from the convenience fee, and that it was actually payment app PayMaya that charged it.

Meralco app users and those who paid via Meralco Online were charged the extra fee when they paid their bills via the online portals.

"I wish to assure you that we shall be more sensitive in the future and shall be ever mindful of the best interest and well-being of our customers," Espinosa said.