The government is optimistic that Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will not excessively charge power consumers living in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) beyond their consumption.

According to presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the power distribution firm did not get away with the electricity bill shock during the previous strict lockdown after state regulators ordered a refund of overpayments.

Metro Manila and four provinces have been placed under MECQ from the general community quarantine following an appeal from the medical community for a time out. The stricter lockdown, that includes home quarantine except for work and essential activities and suspension of public transportation, is being enforced until August 18.

"Hindi na po siguro maulit iyan dahil hindi naman sila nakalusot noong unang pagkakataon. (I don't think it will happen again because they did not get away the first time it happened)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday about Meralco's excessive charging during the ECQ period back in March.

"Sinita po sila ng ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) at inorderan po sila na mag-refund doon sa napakataas na singil nila sa ating mga kababayan (The ERC called its attention and ordered the company to refund the very high power bills charged to our consumers)," he said.

Meralco consumers recently complained about the sudden increase in their electricity bills during the strict coronavirus lockdown that started last March. The power firm claimed that the power bills were reportedly based on estimated consumption and verified against actual meter reading.

The consumer complaints over the electric bill shocks even became a subject of a congressional inquiry. Meralco committed to send letters to customers to explain the estimated consumption and actual bills.

Acting on complaints, the ERC has already directed power distributors, including Meralco, to refund overpayments of consumers during the lockdown period.