Tolentino seeks staggered payments of utility bills
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis Tolentino on Tuesday introduced a measure allowing staggered payments of utility bills to help people financially burdened during a state of calamity such as the new coronavirus pandemic.
Under Senate Bill No. 1473, or the Three-Gives Law, Tolentino said public utilities, such as water and electric distributors, should allow consumers to settle their bills in three equal monthly installments without imposing any interest.
He said the staggered payments would start a month after a state of calamity had been lifted.
“It is the intent of this measure to uphold the general welfare of the people and to assist their economic well-being immediately after the occurrence of natural or man-made calamities, or health epidemics,” read a portion of the bill.
“There shall be a moratorium on [payment of] all residential utility bills during the entire duration of a state of calamity,” he added.
Under the proposed measure, Tolentino said public utilities would pay a fine of up to P1 million if they would discontinue their service to consumers who had failed to settle their unpaid bills.
—Marlon Ramos
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