At a press briefing held on March 16, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to business owners and utility companies to allow their customers to pay their bills due this March at a later date.
The press briefing followed his announcement of a memorandum putting the entire island group of Luzon under "enhanced community quarantine."
On extending the deadlines of bill payments until the end of the quarantine period on April 13, the President said, "Para mapagaan ang gastusin ng ating mga kababayan sa panahong ito at para maiwasan pa rin ang paglabas ng mga tao."
His appeal did not go unheeded.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) has compiled a list of companies that have adjusted their collection due dates following the call of the President.
SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR BASIC NEEDS
MERALCO
On March 16, the country's largest electricity distributor announced on its Facebook page that Meralco customers can pay their bills 30 days after the due date.
The company said, "Meralco is one with the country in its efforts to contain COVID-19...
"Thus, for all Meralco bills due from March 1 to April 14, 2020, we are providing a 30-day payment extension from your due date."
To ensure that there will be no energy disruption in your area, the company is also postponing maintenance activities "unless necessary, to ensure continuous electricity service."
You may call Meralco's hotline, 16211, for immediate concerns.
MAYNILAD
The water services provider also announced on its Facebook page that customers can pay their bills on April 14, 2020.
Their announcement made special mention of the members with overdue accounts.
It read, "Pansamantala muna naming sususpindihin ang disconnection ng overdue accounts ng Maynilad customers hanggang Abril 14, 2020.
"Ito ay para masiguro na ang lahat ng customers ay may magagamit na tubig, lalo na para sa mga aktibidad na kritikal sa pagpapanatili ng kalusugan at sanitasyon."
For customers who may want to pay on time, they may course their payment through their online banking apps or via mobile fund transfer platforms such as PayMaya.
For more information, call the Maynilad hotline at 1626.
PLDT, SMART, AND SUN
Telecommunication conglomerate PLDT Inc. also decided to implement a "30-day payment extension period" across their subsidiaries PLDT Home, PLDT Enterprise, Smart Communications, and Sun Postpaid.
"We hope this enables you to work and study from home and get the latest information that will help you take the right actions in caring for the health and wellness of your loved ones," the company stated in their Facebook announcement posted on March 15.
You may call the following hotlines for your inquiries:
PLDT: 171
Smart Communications: *888 on mobile and 888-111 on landline
Sun Postpaid: *776 for mobile and 395-8776 on landline
GLOBE
Globe Telecom announced they would be giving a "30-day bill payment extension" to all their postpaid subscribers, including businesses and enterprises.
Customers who would want to pay from the comforts of their home may do it through the GlobeOne or Globe At Home mobile apps.
You may call the Globe hotline, 7730-1000, or send a message on their Facebook page should you need any assistance.
BANKS
EASTWEST BANK
EastWest Bank is granting "eligible customers" a 30-day extension for payment of bills such as credit card charges and "auto, personal, mortgage and EEL loans."
This was posted on the bank company's Facebook page on March 16 with the note, "An e-mail or SMS advice will be sent to customers who will qualify under this payment extension program."
In the SMS advice shown by an EastWest bank client to PEP.ph, the bank is giving the client the option to skip paying for the month without being charged a "late payment fee."
To know more, you may call EastWest Bank's hotline, 8888-1700.
RCBC BANKARD
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) is also granting their Bankard members a "payment holiday."
On Facebook, their announcement read: "Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented a Payment Holiday.
"Cardholders in good standing and with due dates from March 16 to April 15, 2020 can skip their due dates and make a payment 30 days after."
Should you still choose to pay on time, you may do it online at www.rcbconlinebanking.com or through their mobile app.
You may call the RCBC Bankard hotline, 8888-1888, for more details.
SECURITY BANK
Security Bank is giving a 30-day extension for credit card and loan payments that have "no past due balance as of March 16" and with a "due date between March 16 to April 14, 2020."
In their Facebook post uploaded on March 17, the bank assured customers that loan payments will not be doubled because they "will extend the maturity of the loan."
They added, "You will not be charged a late fee.
"If somehow a late payment fee appears on your account, it will be waived."
For inquiries, you may call their hotline at 8887-9188.
BPI
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) announced March 17 that they are "extending a 30-day grace period" for qualified clients for payments such as credit card and "personal, home, autom and SEME (self-employed micro entrepreneurs) loans.
Eligible clients will be notified through an e-mail with the terms and conditions of the program.
You may call BPI's hotline, 889-10000, for your concerns.
HOME CREDIT
Finance provider Home Credit is granting payment extensions to members who will request for it through e-mail or phone call.
The instructions were posted on their Facebook page on March 17: "If you need payment extension due to COVID-19, e-mail us at info@homecredit.ph with the subject 'COVID HELP' and fill out the form or call us at (02) 7752-5712."
CABLE TELEVISION
SKY CABLE
With the intention of providing customers with "uninterrupted cable television and internet services," Sky Cable is extending their subscribers' bill payment period "for another 30 days."
They are also giving the option to pay their bills "worry-free" at home through their website, www.mysky.com.ph, or through the MySky mobile app.
For more information, call Sky Cable hotline, 3381-0000.
CIGNAL TV
Cignal TV is implementing a 30-day payment extension for its postpaid subscribers "for you and your families to stay informed and be entertained, especially during these difficult times."
To guarantee that you still receive your billing statements as scheduled, Cignal is encouraging its subscribers to enroll in the e-bill program on their website.