Reporter: Ho Chi Minh City Power Corporation set a target that by 2020 the collection of electricity bills at home will end. Will this target come true?
Mr. Pham Quoc Bao: According to Decision No. 2545/QD-TTg dated December 30, 2016 of the Prime Minister approving the Project on development of non - cash payment in Vietnam in the period 2016 - 2020, the ratio of cash payments in the total payment methods should be less than 10% by the end of 2020. Following directions of the Prime Minister, EVNHCMC has pushed up cooperation with collection partners such as banks and intermediary organizations in order to diversify electricity payment methods meeting criteria fastest, safest and most convenient for electricity customers.
Accordingly, the Corporation encourages and calls all electricity customers in Ho Chi Minh City to gradually switch to other convenient payment methods such as payment via banks, post offices, convenience stores, etc. by the end of 2017. By 2020, all households will pay electricity bills in the form of non-cash.
Reporter: How have the electricity collection methods been realized, sir?
Mr. Pham Quoc Bao: The Corporation has cooperated with 22 banks and 9 electricity bill collection partners to assist customers in paying electricity bills at more than 6,468 collection locations outside the system of power sector (including: 24/7 convenience stores, post offices, banks, Saigon Co.op supermarkets, Viettel stores, and 2,202 ATMs, via Internet / Mobile / SMS Banking, or automatic debit as well as via website http://cskh.hcmpc.vn).
Up to now, more than 90% of customers have paid electricity bills through banks and collection partners, reaching more than 96% of the revenue, of which more than 64% of customers have paid through electronic forms. This reality motivates the Corporation to promote the application of modern technologies in the management of electricity consumption as well as payment of electricity bills of customers.
Reporter: Some customers reflect the surcharge when paying electricity bills through banks. Does EVN HCMC have this surcharge policy?
Mr. Pham Quoc Bao: For electricity bill payment services, the Corporation affirms there are not any surcharges on customers, because the cost of electricity bill collection is fully paid by us to our collection partners.
In addition, according to the agreements signed between the two parties, the collection partner is not allowed to impose any fees when customers pay for electricity. In case customers are surcharged for electricity bill payment for different reasons, the Corporation will promptly check and resolve, requesting the collection partner to refund and apologize customers.
Reporter: What will be benefits to customers when the electricity bill collection at home ends?
Mr. Pham Quoc Bao: The postpaid payment of electricity bills is to exercise rights and obligations of the electricity buyer and seller in the power supply agreement, the power sector itself always create the most favorable conditions to serve customers more and more considerately, they are the added values given by the power sector to customers.
In addition, the diversification of electricity bill payment methods to help customers have more options, payments can be made at anytime, anywhere but always in a secure, fast and convenient manner. As noted, most of people in the city are satisfied with these new payment services.
Reporter: Thank you!