Downloadable MDR Application Form

MDR Application Form

 1. What is a meter deposit?


The Meter Deposit was the amount a customer paid to guarantee against loss or damage of the electrical meter installed at the customer’s service address. The Meter Deposit was equivalent to one-half of the cost of the electric meter or other equipment required for installation.

Collecting meter deposits began in 1987 following Order 85-121 of the then Board of Energy and later, Order 95-21 of the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB).

This is different from the service deposit which is the amount a customer pays as part of his application for service. It is equivalent to one month billing based on the electrical load at the service address.
 2. Is Meralco still collecting the meter deposit?


Meralco stopped collecting meter deposits from residential customers in July 2004 with the advent of the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. Since April 2006, Meralco stopped requiring meter deposits from non-residential customers as well after the promulgation of the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR).
 3. Why is Meralco returning the customer’s meter deposit?


On June 4, 2008, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) released the Rules on MDR for all DUs in the Philippines which became effective on July 5. Under these guidelines, the MDR should begin within six months after its effectivity which means not later than January 2009.

Meralco is operating under the guidelines and rules set forth by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), a law that became effective on June 26, 2001. The law, which paves the way for the restructuring and deregulation of the power industry, balances the interest of both Distribution Utilities and the consuming public.
 4. How much is the meter deposit refund?


The meter deposit refund is composed of the principal paid by the customer plus the interest earned. Computation of the interest depends on the date the meter deposit was paid.
 5. Who are eligible for the meter deposit refund?


Not all Meralco customers are eligible for a refund. Only REGISTERED customers who paid for a meter deposit (1987 – 2004 for residential customers, 1987 – 2006 for all other types of customers) are eligible for the refund. Meralco customers who did not pay a meter deposit upon connection of service are NOT ELIGIBLE for a refund.
 6. When will the refund take place?


By NOVEMBER 2008, the distribution of the refund will begin. The ERC guidelines specified that the refund shall be implemented for a period of 5 years.



WHEN
CUSTOMER TYPE
2008 to 2011
Residential and General Services (RGS)
2012
Non-Residential: Industrial Services/Non-Industrial Services (IS/NIS), Government Hospitals/Metered Streetlights (GHMS), and large accounts
2013
All customers who have not claimed the MDR


 7. How will we be reminded that we have a refund and when we can claim it?


A notice shall be posted in the customer's electric bill informing the qualified customer of the details of where and when to claim.

 8. What are the refund options?


Customers have the following options on how they want to get the Meter Deposit refund.

  • In cash if the amount is P4,000 or less
  • In check if the refund amount is greater than P4,000
  • Credit to future bills
  • Application to unpaid bills

 9. What do customers have to submit to get the refund?


In claiming their meter deposits and interest, customers should have the following documents:

  1. Official Meter Deposit Receipt


    Sample Meter Deposit Receipts


  2. Filled out MDR Application Form.

    The Refund Application Form can be downloaded here and will also be available at the Business Centers before the refund period starts in November 2008.

  3. One (1) valid Primary ID with photo and signature
    Xerox copies of IDs need to be submitted.
    Acceptable Primary IDs include:
    • Driver’s License
    • Passport
    • PRC License
    • SSS ID
    • GSIS ID
    • TIN ID
    • Philhealth ID
    • Senior Citizen ID
    • Postal ID
    • Original NBI Clearance
    • Firearm’s License
    • Police Clearance (Computerized Print-out)
    • New Comelec Voter’s ID (Scanned and Printed on Comelec Security Paper)
    • Credit Card with photo and signature

    It is advisable to bring a copy of your latest bill to facilitate verification.



For queries, please call 1622-8888, 632-8888 or click this link.
** Information on Meter Deposit Refund is subject to change as may be required by government regulations.


Last updated: 10/22/2008