Maya brings digital power bills to off-grid homes

Digital bank Maya is expanding cashless access to electricity bill payments by enabling digital collections for residential customers served by the National Power Corporation (Napocor) under its Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG).

The move allows SPUG customers in remote and missionary areas — many of which are not connected to the main power grid — to pay their electricity bills electronically through Maya, reducing reliance on manual and over-the-counter payment methods. The initiative aligns with the government’s push for digitalization and ease of doing business, while improving access to essential services beyond major urban centers.

Napocor, through Small Power Utilities Group, supplies electricity to geographically isolated and underserved communities nationwide. While power generation in these areas is decentralized, mobile connectivity is already widespread, making digital payments a practical way to streamline collections and improve customer experience.

“Providing more accessible and efficient payment channels is an important part of improving service delivery, especially in remote and missionary areas,” said Jericho Jonas B. Nograles, president and CEO of Napocor. “Digital payments help reduce manual processes and make it more convenient for households to settle their electricity bills.”

“This initiative reflects our commitment to making digital financial services work for everyday needs, including essential utilities,” said Shailesh Baidwan, group president of Maya. “By enabling digital bill payments for SPUG customers, we are helping extend the convenience and efficiency of digital finance to communities where payment options have traditionally been limited.”

Beyond payments, both organizations said the collaboration underscores a shared goal of modernizing public services through technology, supporting inclusive growth, operational efficiency, and broader access to essential utilities.

Through SPUG, Napocor operates power facilities in hundreds of communities nationwide, serving nearly one million households across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao — many of which have historically relied on manual bill collection.