菲律宾2026年3月电费上调合规指南：传输费、发电费与补贴调整

power and water Meralco’s March power rates up; customers urged to be ‘energy efficient’ Mar 10, 2026 11:50 AM PHT Rappler.com SUMMARY This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. POWER. Electricity meters in Barangay Bagumbayan South in Navotas City on August 2, 2017. LeAnne Jazul INFO The situation coincides with the approaching dry season, when electricity demand historically increases by 20% to 33% due to increased usage of cooling appliances such as air conditioners (This is a press release from the Manila Electric Company.) MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced on Tuesday, March 10, an upward adjustment of P0.6427 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in electricity rates this March, bringing the overall rate for a typical household to P13.8161 per kWh this month from P13.1734 per kWh in February. For residential customers with a typical consumption of 200 kWh, this adjustment translates to an increase of around P129 in their total electricity bill. Play Video Higher transmission, generation charges push up overall rates Driving the overall rate increase this month was the P0.2880 per kWh increase in transmission charge for residential customers. The higher transmission charge was due to a 70% increase in ancillary service charges incurred by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) from the Reserve Market. Costs from the Reserve Market accounted for almost half of the total transmission charge this billing month. Meanwhile, the generation charge went up by P0.2209 per kWh to P7.8607 per kWh. Fixed charges from the second extension of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with First Gas-Sta. Rita added around P0.38 per kWh to this month’s generation charge. These offset a P1.0952 per kWh reduction in charges from Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), as supply conditions in the Luzon grid improved. This month’s generation charge already included the P0.2817 per kWh contract price adjustment of ACEN Corporation, Panay Energy Development Corp., South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) and Sual Power Inc. (SPI) approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). This is equivalent to about P789 million in generation costs for this billing month, the impact of which was more than offset by the completion of the recovery of the previous contract price adjustment of SPPC and SPI, totaling P858 million or around P0.30 per kWh. Meanwhile, other charges that include taxes registered a net increase of P0.1338 per kWh. This month’s rate also reflected the implementation of the new uniform national lifeline subsidy rate of P0.01 per kWh in accordance with a recent ERC directive. Pass-through charges for generation and transmission are paid to the power suppliers and the grid operator, respectively; while taxes, universal charges, and renewable energy subsidies are all remitted to the government. Meralco’s distribution charge, on the other hand, has not moved since the P0.0360 per kWh reduction for a typical residential customer in August 2022. Middle East conflict Aligned with the government’s directive on energy-saving measures amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, Meralco is urging customers to continue practicing energy efficiency to better manage consumption as the country also braces for the dry season, when demand traditionally peaks. The reminder echoes President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for government offices to implement conservation measures and his appeal for the public to adopt energy-saving practices, as global fuel market volatility persists due to the geopolitical uncertainties. The situation coincides with the approaching dry season, when electricity demand historically increases by 20% to 33% due to increased usage of cooling appliances such as air conditioners. With higher temperatures forecast to drive increased consumption, households and businesses alike are encouraged to take proactive steps in managing their energy use. “We are entering a period when demand for electricity traditionally peaks, and external factors are adding pressure to energy costs,” Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said. “By embracing energy efficiency, consumers can have better control on their electricity bills and at the same time, contribute to mitigating the impact of external factors on electricity costs.” Some energy efficiency tips that customers can observe include unplugging appliances when not in use; utilizing natural light when and where possible; and ironing large batches of clothing at one time. They are also advised to set the air conditioners to 25°C and ensure proper maintenance and refrain from overloading the refrigerator to allow for proper air circulation of the cool air inside. Customers can report their electricity service concerns through the My Meralco app or through Meralco’s official social media accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco) and X formerly Twitter (@meralco). They may also text their concerns to 0920-9716211 or 0917-5516211 or contact the Meralco Hotline at 16211. – Rappler.com Summarize this article with AI Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied How does this make you feel? Loading Related Topics energy industry Iran Iran-Israel conflict US-Iran relations utilities energy industry Visayas How Visayas LGUs are implementing energy-saving measures Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Explainers How will suspending fuel excise taxes cushion a big oil price hike? Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Thought Leaders [Vantage Point] The ₱90 per liter oil warning: How Gulf conflict could hit local fuel and power prices Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Thought Leaders ​​[In This Economy] How will the US–Iran conflict affect the Philippine economy? Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied More on energy industry Iran Top 5 News Today Sandiganbayan orders seizure of Zaldy Co’s properties | The wRap Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Newsletters [Rappler’s Best] Of drone wars and China’s long game Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Profiles Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader? Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Middle East Iran names Khamenei’s hardline son Mojtaba as new supreme leader, oil surges Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied More on Iran Iran-Israel conflict Visayas How Visayas LGUs are implementing energy-saving measures Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Middle East Iran bets on endurance, energy disruption to outlast US, Israel Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Middle East Oil jumps to 2022 high on Iran war, falls after close as Russia sanctions in doubt Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Newsletters [Rappler’s Best] Of drone wars and China’s long game Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied More on Iran-Israel conflict US-Iran relations Middle East Iran bets on endurance, energy disruption to outlast US, Israel Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Middle East Oil jumps to 2022 high on Iran war, falls after close as Russia sanctions in doubt Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Newsletters [Rappler’s Best] Of drone wars and China’s long game Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Explainers How will suspending fuel excise taxes cushion a big oil price hike? Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied More on US-Iran relations utilities Visayas How Visayas LGUs are implementing energy-saving measures Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Explainers How