“While the challenges are great, so are the opportunities.” – Bill Ford
In June, three consumers qualified for the bill deposit refund, and this month, twenty more eligible consumers were identified by MORE Power. In an amazing twist of events, they all received notices of refund for their bill deposit. Among them were JOSEPHINE KANAGASINGAM, VIOLETA TIONGSON and Kgd. KEIFFER ESPINOSA, who were all more than delighted.
Josephine applied for electricity three years ago during the transition period with the previous distribution utility. Like everyone else, she went through the process of application and bill deposit payment of P4,000 for her electrical connection. Curious at receiving a notice for refund of bill deposit, she visited the MORE Power Office to verify the veracity of the notice only to be surprised that she was indeed eligible for a refund – the same 4,000 pesos she had paid three years ago, plus the accumulated interest earned, which will be deducted from her next billing.
“I asked the staff there if it was true, and they confirmed that it was. I really appreciate MORE Power because they are returning it. It’s the first time I’ve experienced a deposit being refunded,” Josephine expressed her gratitude as she spoke of her experience. “In the past, other companies would keep the deposits, which were even larger. So, thank you very much, MORE Power!”
Violeta, hails from Brgy. Rizal Pala-Pala, one of the densely populated areas in Iloilo City. Expressing her gratitude to MORE Power for the refund and simplifying the process of application, she said, “MORE Power has not only improved our lives through reliable electricity but has also shown a genuine commitment to the welfare of its customers. The refund received has made a tremendous difference in my child’s health, allowing us to continue providing the necessary care.”
Kgd. Keiffer Espinosa also shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the ease of application, connection, and payment under MORE Power. He ensured timely payment by providing a one-month deposit to avoid disconnection. Additionally, he plans to deposit the refund he received for the next billing period.
The twenty consumers qualified for a refund by consistently paying their bills on time for 36 months, equivalent to three years. In a simple ceremony at MORE Power Iloilo Corporate Office, they received their refunds.
The other recipients were ANTONIA INAYAN, RAMIR NAVA, GERRY MALATA, LAZARO IPEDRO Jr., CLIFFORD ESPINOSA, LIZA TAN, EDNA SIMEROS, JESEL GLUMALID, MARY ROBLES and DIOMERCY SAGAYNO. Of the 20, only 15 submitted their applications and processed successfully, and of the 15, only 12 came.
According to the Magna Carta for Residential Consumers, bill deposits can be refunded to consumers who have paid on time for 36 months without experiencing disconnection. Apart from the bill deposit, an annual interest rate is also credited to the customer’s account to be deducted from their next billing. The Iloilo City Government commended MORE Power for this historic initiative, with FRANCIS CRUZ, Special Assistant to Mayor JERRY TREÑAS, stating, “Today’s turnover ceremony symbolizes the unwavering dedication that you, the remarkable team at MORE Power, have exhibited in providing the best possible service to the Ilonggos.”
ROEL Z. CASTRO, President/CEO of MORE Power, clarified that “the refunds are not rewards but rather rights of every consumer based on the law.” Furthermore. He highlighted the attention their program has garnered, stating that initially, only three consumers qualified for refunds, but now there are twenty. “The bill deposit belongs to the consumers, and it is the law’s mandate to return it,” he reiterated.
Rightfully so, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman, Atty. MONALISA DIMALANTA, praised MORE Power for consistently setting an example for other distribution utilities to follow.