Power retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said Monday customers paying through the Meralco Online website or app using the Bayad e-wallet as a payment method are not subject to any convenience fees.
Meralco vice president and corporate communications head Joe Zaldarriaga said Bayad waived the fee as the payment processor for Meralco Online. Bayad is the fintech subsidiary of Meralco.
Meralco also said it does not profit from convenience fees charged to customers using third-party options like GCash, Maya, Visa, Mastercard and JCB Bankcards for bill settlements through Meralco Online.
“We would like to reiterate that there is no charge if customers use Bayad e-wallet and that convenience fees for other providers go to our payment partners. We do not earn a single centavo from these convenience fees contrary to what was inaccurately stated,” Zaldarriaga said.
Meralco said using e-wallets such as GCash and Maya incurs convenience fees of P6 and P7 respectively, while Visa, Mastercard and JCB cards charge P15.
It said these convenience fees are collected by the respective payment partners such as banks and card networks and are simply processed by Meralco and Bayad.
It said these convenience fees enable Meralco and its partners to maintain a secure and reliable payment facility, Meralco Online is just one of many payment options available to customers.
“Our customers are empowered to use whichever secure payment channel they prefer when settling their electricity bills,” Zaldarriaga said.
Meralco said its partnerships enable 61 online channels, 68 over-the-counter channels and the option for 12 automatic payment arrangements with partner banks, ensuring diverse and accessible bill payment options.
Meralco said it encourages customers to choose the payment channel that best suits their needs from the wide array of secure and accessible options provided.
“We remain committed to continuously enhancing our services for better customer experience alongside our efforts to deliver reliable and stable electricity service,” Zaldarriaga said.