DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative II (NORECO II) is extending its due date for the settlement of electric bills by member-consumer-owners (MCOs) for 15 days while the province is under Alert Level 4 status in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
NORECO II information officer Sharon Araula, in an interview Tuesday said this is a local cooperative initiative to give the MCOs enough time to pay their bills amid the quarantine restrictions.
Electricity bills for the October 16 to November 15 billing period are covered by the extension, she said.
The adjusted due date reflected on the billing statement has been added with eight days, which is on top of the usual seven-day grace period granted to the MCOs before the pandemic, Araula added.
The power distribution utility also granted a similar due date extension when Negros Oriental was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last year as stipulated by the national government at the height of the pandemic.
Negros Oriental has been placed under Alert Level 4 status, the strictest of the new quarantine classification, being a “high risk” area for Covid-19 cases. The province has the highest number of infections in Central Visayas.
NORECO II coverage areas include this capital city, Sibulan, San Jose, Amlan, Pamplona, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City, and Basay.
Another cooperative, NORECO I, meanwhile, covers the central and northern parts of Negros Oriental. (PNA)
