This brings the overall rate for a typical household to ₱13.2703 per kWh in August, up from ₱12.6435 per kWh in July. For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment translates to an increase of roughly ₱125 in their monthly bill.
Why rates are rising
Generation charges rose by ₱0.3749 per kWh, largely due to:
Higher charges from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which increased ₱0.9476 per kWh.
A nearly ₱2 depreciation of the peso against the US dollar — the weakest level since the start of 2025 — affecting around 99 percent of dollar-denominated IPP costs.
Lower average plant dispatch during the scheduled maintenance of First Gas-Sta. Rita (June 30–July 9) and First Gas-San Lorenzo (July 10–14).
First Gas-San Lorenzo’s rate climbed by ₱0.8570 to ₱9.0790 per kWh, while First Gas-Sta. Rita’s rate jumped from ₱0.8981 to ₱9.5235 per kWh.
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) charges increased by ₱0.4582 per kWh due to an additional 400 MW in average capacity on outage in the Luzon grid.
Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), however, eased some pressure with a ₱0.2604 per kWh reduction on lower coal and liquefied natural gas prices and improved dispatch.
Breakdown of Meralco’s energy mix for the period:
PSAs: 68%
IPPs: 25%
WESM: 7%
Transmission and other charges
The transmission charge rose by ₱0.1270 per kWh following the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) higher Maximum Allowable Revenue (MAR) and collection of under-recoveries from 2016–2022, as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Other charges, including taxes, increased by ₱0.1249 per kWh.
Pass-through charges for generation and transmission are remitted by Meralco to power suppliers and NGCP, while taxes, universal charges, and the Feed-in Tariff Allowance go to the government.
Meralco stressed that its distribution charge has not moved since a ₱0.0360 per kWh reduction in August 2022. Customers are also benefiting from an ongoing distribution-related true-up adjustment, lowering residential rates by ₱0.2024 per kWh.
Meralco warns against scams
Alongside the rate announcement, Meralco cautioned customers about a circulating text message scam falsely claiming recipients are entitled to an electricity refund.
The fraudulent messages — sent via SMS spoofing to appear from a legitimate e-wallet — instruct recipients to click a malicious link to claim the supposed refund.
“Meralco will never ask for your e-wallet account details or initiate refunds through text messages,” said Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications. “Any official refund transaction is directly credited to the electricity bill of the customer without the need to click on any links.”
Zaldarriaga urged customers to avoid suspicious links and never provide personal or financial information through text or email.
Warning against electricity theft
Meralco also reminded the public that pilfering electricity distribution facilities and materials is both dangerous and illegal.
Under Republic Act No. 7832 or the Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act, theft of electric power transmission materials is punishable by imprisonment and fines starting at ₱50,000.
The company said such acts can cause accidents and widespread power interruptions. Customers may report concerns via the Meralco mobile app, official Facebook and X accounts, or by texting 0920-9716211 / 0917-5516211. The Meralco hotline 16211 is also available for immediate assistance. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
