PLDT effects full implementation of new billing system

CEBU, Philippines - You failed to pay for your PLDT dues on or before the due date and suddenly, a week after, you find that you can no longer receive or make calls from your landline even if there is still a dial tone, or your DSL connection no longer works.

The explanation, your phone’s features have been barred by PLDT pending your payment. This is the effect of PLDT’s full implementation of their new billing system, explained Bong C. Lintag, head of the Cebu Customer Service Zone.

Lintag explained that the telephone company actually started implementing its new billing system in July 2009 yet but only effected a full implementation last October 2010.

“We tested the new system for more than a year before the full implementation. We understand that our subscribers are having a difficult time, and we are also experiencing difficulties. These are just the birthing pains and as soon as our subscribers understand the new system, they will realize this is actually easier for them and for us, as well,” he added.

Marlyn Mondido of Accounts Management explained that the system identified six billing cycles or cut off periods with respective due dates. Failure to pay the bill on or before the due date would mean that the different features of your subscription will be barred temporarily, pending the payment. “However, as soon as payment is made, the services will be reactivated within 48 hours,” she said. Accounts that have been temporarily barred but remain unpaid for 45 days will then be disconnected and the subscriber then has to pay a reconnection fee, Mondido added.

The billing cycles that have been implemented are: period covered is 5th to 4th day of the month, the due date is every end of the month; period covered is 8th to 7th day of the month, due date is 1st day of the month; period covered is 22nd to 21st of the month, due date is 15th day of the month; period covered is 25th to 24th day of the month, due date is 20th day of the month. The due date for all government offices in Cebu and Bohol is every 6th day of the month.

The best solution, according to Maridel M. Manalang, the Business Office Supervisor of the Cebu Customer Service Zone, so that subscribers will not experience problems like the barring of services is to pay on or before the due date that is stated in the PLDT bill. PLDT, she said, offers different options for its subscribers to pay for their bills.

“There are PLDT business offices in Argao, Talisay, Jones, Mabolo, Mandaue, Mactan and also in Tagbilaran. We also have Quick Pay Machines in all these centers. The machines in Jones and in Mabolo are available 24 hours. PLDT payments can also be made in banks such as RCBC, Metrobank, Bank of Commerce, UCPB and BDO. Other alternative payment centers are SM, Emall, Watson’s, LBC, Western Union, Cebuana Lhuillier, as well as auto debit and phone banking facilities,” Manalang said.

The PLDT officials acknowledged that there are also problems in the delivery of bills. Mondido said subscribers can view their bills online at www.pldt.com.ph/consumerbillsonline.

“PLDT is finding ways to make transacting with us easier for our subscribers. We encourage our subscribers to pay in advance and not wait for the due date so that there will be no interruptions in services,” said Lintag. (FREEMAN)