Meralco all set to give discounts to senior citizens

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country's largest power distributor, is set to grant a 5-percent discount on electricity bills to senior citizens. In a statement Friday, Meralco said it is working closely with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other electricity distributors to "ensure that the benefits of Republic Act 9994 will reach deserving consumers." RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizen's Act of 2010 grants a 5-percent discount on electricity bills to qualified senior citizens whose consumption does not exceed 100 kilowatt hours per month. To apply for the discount, senior citizens must submit the following to Meralco: — Proof of age and citizenship such as birth certificate, valid senior citizen identification card issued by the Office of Senior Citizen’s Affairs, or any government identification card; — Proof of residence such as barangay certificate or duly notarized affidavit of two persons attesting that they know the senior citizen for at least a year; — Proof of billing such as copy of electric bill issued in the name of the senior citizen; and — Authorization letter, if a representative is applying for the discount. "This is a good opportunity for electricity consumers to show care for the elderly members of our society," ERC chairperson Zenaida Ducut said. She said that the "small amount that the subsidizing electricity consumers will pay is negligible compared to the financial relief the discount will bring to the senior citizens." ERC pointed out that all distribution utilities should make the availment of the discount scheme convenient for senior citizens. Last Dec. 15, 2010, ERC approved the rules implementing the Senior Citizens Discount and Subsidy on Electricity Consumption under Sections 4 and 5 of RA 9994. -- JS/OMG, GMANews.TV