The Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) has suspended meter reading schedules and waived penalty charges for the month as the province struggles to restore power following Typhoon Opong’s devastation.

Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor announced the relief measures Monday after appealing to the electric cooperative to support residents recovering from the storm’s impact.

“There will be no power disconnection and no penalties from ORMECO as per our request,” Dolor said in a social media post.

In a letter dated September 29, 2025, ORMECO General Manager Humphrey A. Dolor confirmed the cooperative’s board had approved two priority measures: postponing scheduled meter readings until power is fully restored across the province, and waiving penalty and disconnection charges for the month.

“These requirements that need to be given attention and urgency will allow our consumers to return to normalcy first,” the general manager wrote to the governor.

The cooperative said the waiver will help residents prioritize recovery efforts for their homes, businesses and livelihoods while ORMECO works to restore normal electricity service throughout the month.

Governor Dolor had earlier written to ORMECO citing the urgent need to support typhoon victims, warning that strict adherence to billing deadlines and penalty charges could burden residents already facing enormous recovery costs.

“I am asking ORMECO’s agreement as a partner of the government in upholding justice in dealing with the people and well-being of each Oriental Mindoreño,” Dolor wrote in his September 27, 2025 letter.

The governor expressed gratitude for ORMECO’s “unity” in the relief effort, noting that the cooperative continues working to expedite full power restoration in Oriental Mindoro.