Electricity distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) announced an increase in power rates for March, raising the overall electricity cost by ₱0.6427 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential consumers.
The adjustment pushes the total electricity rate for a typical household to ₱13.8161 per kWh, up from ₱13.1734 per kWh in February. For households consuming about 200 kWh, the hike translates to an estimated ₱129 increase in monthly electricity bills.
According to Meralco, the increase was mainly driven by higher transmission and generation charges. Transmission costs rose due to a sharp increase in ancillary service charges from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which are used to maintain grid stability and ensure reliable electricity supply.
Generation charges also climbed as adjustments were implemented in power supply contracts and energy costs. These pass-through charges are paid to electricity suppliers and grid operators, meaning Meralco does not earn from them.
Despite the hike, Meralco said its distribution charge has remained unchanged since August 2022, emphasizing that most adjustments in power bills come from costs passed on by power suppliers and transmission operators.
The company also encouraged consumers to practice energy efficiency, particularly as electricity demand typically rises during the dry season.
