MANILA, Philippines — In a surprising turn for consumers, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, a minimal reduction in electricity rates for the May billing period. The cut comes despite widespread expectations of a significant price hike driven by soaring global oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The overall rate for a typical household will decrease by ₱0.0151 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
- New Rate: ₱14.3345 per kWh, down from ₱14.3496 per kWh in April.
- Household Impact: For a typical residential customer consuming 200 kWh, this reflects a modest savings of approximately ₱3.02 on this month’s bill.
- Context: The reduction is particularly notable as the generation charge—the largest component of the bill—actually rose to ₱8.7942 per kWh due to higher prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and a weakening Philippine Peso.
The downward adjustment was made possible by several “cushioning” factors and regulatory interventions that offset the rising cost of fuel:
- ERC Mitigation Measures: The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the use of a ₱14.2-billion refund to help shield consumers from global energy price spikes.
- Indigenous Gas VAT Exemption: Consumers are beginning to see the benefits of a 2025 law that provides value-added tax (VAT) exemptions for power generated using indigenous natural gas.
- Lower Transmission Charges: The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) reduced its transmission wheeling rates and ancillary services (AS) charges for the month.
- Suspension of Environmental Taxes: The temporary suspension of certain green energy auction allowances further contributed to the net decrease.
While the per-unit rate has dipped, Meralco Vice President Joe Zaldarriaga cautioned that total electricity bills may still be higher for many households.
“While our customers stand to benefit from relatively stable rates this May, we would like to advise our customers that the bills that they will receive may still go up depending on their actual consumption, which usually increases during the summer months.” — Joe Zaldarriaga
The company noted that the sweltering May heat traditionally leads to a spike in the use of cooling appliances, which can easily outpace the small reduction in the per-kWh rate.
In addition to utility news, Meralco’s professional basketball team, the Meralco Bolts, is currently competing in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. As of May 13, the team has entered the Quarter Finals following a series of regular-season wins against Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater Bossing.
