Early Refund of Bill Deposit FAQs
1. What is the Early Refund of Bill Deposit (ERBD)?
Customers who have consistently paid their bills on or before the due date for the past three (3) years, the bill deposit along with the corresponding interest may be refunded prior to service termination subject to customer’s application for refund and submission of documentary requirements.
2. Am I eligible for Early Refund of Bill Deposit (ERBD)?
Eligible customers who paid on time for the past three (3) years and have never availed ERBD shall be eligible for early refund.
Note: Under the Energy Regulatory Commission’s rules, if you fail to pay your monthly bills on time after availing the Early Refund of Bill Deposit (ERBD), the bill deposit will be reimposed. You will also lose the right to refund the bill deposit prior to the termination of your service.
3. How can I claim my Early Refund of Bill Deposit (ERBD)?
- a) Actual customer
- i. One valid ID
- b) Authorized representative
- Must present the following:
- i. Two valid IDs
- ii. For refunds less than Php 25,000: Original copy of Authorization Letter signed by the registered customer or actual user of service
- iii. For refunds more than Php 25,000: Original copy of a Special Power of Attorney
- c) Aside from identification documents, the customer/authorized representative must also present the original copy of the bill deposit receipt. If missing or lost, the following must be presented:
- i. Original copy of a Declaration of Loss if the refund amount is P5,000.00 or less; or
- ii. Notarized Affidavit of Loss if the refund amount is more than P5,000.00
Table 1. List of Identification Documents for Non-individual Claimants
| A. PRIVATE CORPORATIONS, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS*, GOVERNMENT OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS (GOCCs) WITHOUT CHARTER, and COOPERATIVES |
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| B. GOCCs OR OTHER INSTITUTIONS WITH CHARTER |
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| C. HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION |
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| D. LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS |
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| E. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES (NGAIs) |
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| F. PARTNERSHIPS |
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| G. CORPORATION SOLE (RELIGIOUS CORPORATIONS**) |
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| H. CORPORATIONS UNDER REHABILITATION |
If the Rehabilitation Receiver is another company: (i) notarized Board Resolution or Secretary’s Certificate authorizing the representative to file the application; (ii) GIS of the Rehabilitation Receiver; (iii) at least two (2) primary IDs of the authorized representative; and (iv) primary IDs of the Board members (if what is submitted is a Board Resolution) or the Corporate Secretary (if what is submitted is a Secretary’s Certificate). |
| I. DISSOLVED CORPORATIONS OR CORPORATIONS WITH REVOKED LICENSE |
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| J. SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP |
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*Refer to Table 2 for the list of valid primary and secondary identification documents.
Table 2. List of Primary and Secondary Identification Documents*
| PRIMARY IDs | SECONDARY IDs |
|---|---|
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* Generally, IDs presented for transactions must be valid. An expired ID is not a valid ID. In case a customer is presenting an expired ID, Refund Processing Centers must ask for alternative IDs that are acceptable.
However, considering that the purpose of the IDs is to establish the identity of a the person claiming the refund, provided that if the ID has the picture and signature of the person sought to be identified and by virtue thereof, the identity of such person is ascertained, are up-to-date, allowing an expired ID shall be left to the discretion of the Refunding Processing office but subject to “G3” approval.
4. What is the impact of the recently promulgated Amendments to the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers (MCREC)?
The Amendment updates the criteria and refund method for residential customers eligible for Early Refund of Bill Deposit:
1.The requirement has been reduced from three (3) consecutive years to two (2) consecutive years of consistent payment on or before the due date.
2. Documents are no longer required to claim the refund. We shall automatically credit your deposit (including interest earned) to your monthly bills.
5. When will I receive my refund?
After you are notified via a bill ad, you may submit the documentary requirements which will be reviewed by a Meralco representative.
The refund will be released within one month of completion of requirements.
6. Will an eligible customer be receiving the Bill Deposit Refund in cash or in check?
Depending on the amount and type of account, eligible customers may receive a cash or check refund, or they may opt to apply the refund to unpaid or future bills.
| Refund Amount | Individual | Non-individual accounts |
| Php 5,000 or less | • Cash refund • Application to unpaid and/or future bills | Check refund Application to unpaid and/or future bills |
| More than Php 5,000 | • Check refund • Application to unpaid and/or future bills |
Note: Refund Processing Center Head must also approve refund that will be paid through check and sign the refund application form, if any
7. I am a Contestable Customer or GEOP End-user and has availed of Customer Choice Programs ( Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM) / Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), or Retail Aggregation Program (RAP)) , am I eligible for ERBD?
Please contact your retail electricity supplier for details.