Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) says customers face higher electricity bills in July after the company increases its overall residential rate. In a media briefing, Meralco officials attributed the change mainly to higher generation costs linked to fuel-price movements and to higher taxes. Meralco’s distribution charge does not change.
According to the reports, Meralco’s overall rate increases by P0.3428 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), rising to P14.8261 per kWh from P14.4833 per kWh in June. The generation charge is described as the largest contributor to the increase, while taxes are cited as another driver.
For a standard 200-kWh residential customer, the rate adjustment is estimated to increase the typical monthly electricity bill by about P69. The company presents the increase as a pass-through effect of updated generation-related costs and taxes rather than a change in the distribution portion of the tariff.
