Relocation of Electric Meter: Process, Requirements, Materials, etc. ( Mactan Electric Company,INC. (MECO) )

Information below are all based on my own personal experience as I have recently relocate my electric meter.



MACTAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC. ( MECO)
Office: Sangi Road, Lapu- lapu City, Cebu
Customer Service: 340-8134, 340-8568
Office Hours: Customer Service: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
                       Teller: Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM




Process:

• Visit the MECO office to ask for updated list of Accredited MECO electrician

They wont give you any information over the phone, believe me... I tried. You have to personally visit the office to ask for the list. It is also for your advantage coz once you ask for the list, they will put a note in their computer that you are on the process of relocating your meter.

I asked for the list 6 months ago or so but when I asked for the list once again, two of the electrician in our baranggay were already removed so it's better to go there and asked for the updated list.

Tip: If someone recommends an accredited MECO electrician to you, give the MECO office a call and ask if that person is still under their office. They'd give you a reply.

• Call the Accredited MECO Electrician

They'd give you a list of MECO electricians with their address and cellphone number, so the nearer they are to you, the better.

I had to call 3 electrician coz the other two were not available. Sometimes, I think they don't want to take the job coz the MECO office recommends that you pay the electrician 15 percent of the total materials bought.

Tip: I didn't follow the "15 percent of the total materials bought rule" ( I paid Php 5,000 for all the materials, that's Php 750 or so ) coz I know how low that is, plus it's really hot outside where they will be working. I told the electrician point-blank, "Look, I know about the 15 percent rule and I know that that's too low. How much are you asking for the job?" He answered, " Php 2,300." Told him I'll pay Php 2,000. He was okay with it. I considered it a Christmas gift to them (two electricians were working at that time.)

• Gather all the materials needed

Note: I contacted 3 stores ( New Lapu-Lapu Hardware, Alfonso Co Hardware and Dan Enrico Hardware. For contact information and address of the said stores, click here.) I will mention the store where I got the certain item the cheapest.

- 1 Secondary Rack with 2 Spool : Php  186 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 2 Strain Insulator : Php 32 each ( Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 3 Entrance Cap 3/4 Clip Type: Php 65 each (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 3 Rigid Steel Conduit (RSC) 3/4 dia : Php 213.56 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 1 Meter Socket Base (JF,JVC, GE): Php 430 (New Lapu Lapu Hardware)

- 9 Steel Pole Band 5 inches:  Php 45 each (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware)

- 3 Straight Connector 3/4 dia: Php 20 each (New Lapu- Lapu Hardware)

- 2 Metal Coupling 3/4 dia: Php 24 each (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 7 meters Flexible Conduit ( Liquetite) 3/4 dia: Php 90 per meter (Alfonso Co Hardware)

- 1 3M Electrical Tape: Php 30 (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 19 Meters Electrical Wire 8.0 THHN (Red): Php 38 per meter (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 55 Meters Electrical Wire 8.0 THHN ( Black): Php 38 per meter (Dan Enrico Hardware)

- 10 Metal Clamp 3/4 dia: Php 8 each (New Lapu Lapu Hardware)

- 1 sachet Vulca Seal: Php 45 (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 30 pcs Plastic Tox (S6): Php 40 cents each  (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 30 pcs Metal Screw for S6: Php 1 each  (New Lapu-Lapu Hardware and Alfonso Co = same price)

- 10 pcs 1 1/2 Concrete Nail: Php 70 per kilo (Alfonso Co Hardware)

• Work in Progress

They worked from 8:00 AM to 12 noon

• Certification

Oooops, the transfer of meter doesn't just end there. The MECO accredited electrician will give you a certification and he will asked you to attach the recent MECO bill. You then will submit it to the MECO office.

• Submission of the Certicate + Payment (Php 112)

Once you submit the certificate, the costumer service will see if you have back payment and penalties. If you don't have any, you will be asked to pay PHP 112 and proceed to Teller 8 ( no more lining up, just go straight there.) Php 100 for the Service Fee and Php 12 for VAT.

Note: Be sure that your current meter is digital. Otherwise, they will ask you to pay for more.

• Schedule of the Final Transfer

You will be asked to go back to the Customer Service Representative so she/he could schedule you for the final transfer. A MECO electrician, not the accredited one I talked about, will go to your house for final check up and to finally transfer the meter.

I submitted the certification around 10 AM. The MECO guys went to our house around 2PM. Worked done and meter finally transferred around 2:15 PM.