Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Friday announced an increase of P0.5335 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in electricity rates this April. The overall rate for a typical household is now P14.3496 per kWh, up from P13.8161 per kWh in March.
For households consuming around 200 kWh, this means an estimated increase of about P107 in their monthly bill.
The main reason for the increase is higher generation charges, which rose by P0.5257 per kWh. This was largely driven by the depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar, which raised costs for power suppliers with dollar-denominated contracts.
Charges from power suppliers and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market also went up due to tight supply in the Luzon grid and higher electricity demand during the dry season.
Transmission charges slightly decreased due to lower ancillary service costs, but other charges, including taxes, posted a small increase. Meralco said these are pass-through costs paid to suppliers, the grid operator, and the government.
Consumers continue to benefit from an ongoing refund adjustment, while Meralco’s distribution charge remains unchanged since a reduction in August 2022.
Starting this April, a new lifeline discount will be applied following guidelines from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Qualified low-income households consuming 50 kWh or less will receive a 100 percent discount on electricity rates.
Additional discounts will also apply:
• 35 percent discount for consumption of 51–70 kWh
• 20 percent discount for consumption of 71–100 kWh
Meralco urged consumers to conserve electricity, especially during the dry season when demand typically rises due to increased use of cooling appliances.
The company advised simple measures such as unplugging unused devices, using natural light, setting air conditioners to 25°C, and maintaining appliances to improve efficiency.
