Caloocan warns vs gang preying on lifeline power users

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri warned the public yesterday against a syndicate whose members victimize “lifeline power users” who have yet to receive their P500 subsidy from the national government.

He said the gang’s modus operandi is to trick Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) consumers into believing that it would take them more than half a day to avail of the P500 power subsidy due to long queues and tedious paperwork. They would then offer to purchase the electricity bills at P250 each.

Echiverri said the public should never believe these persons because the city government has made sure the process of receiving the P500 power subsidy remains quick and hassle-free.

 “We are ready to serve residents of Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) every Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the end of the month,” he said. The Caloocan Social Welfare Department will give out subsidies in front of the city hall.

The mayor said the consumers must only present their valid ID and the Meralco billing statements for the month of May up to June 4 to avail of the power subsidy.   – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude