24/7 SERVICE. Meralco continues to deliver reliable and stable electricity service. Seen in the photo is a Meralco linecrew conducting maintenance works.
As heavy rains start to pour, there’s at least one ray of sunshine for Metro Manila households: lower electricity bills.
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a second straight month of rate reductions this June, trimming power costs by P0.1076 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). That brings the overall rate for a typical household down to P12.1552 per kWh, compared to P12.2628 in May.
For a home consuming 200 kWh monthly, that’s around P22 less on the June bill. Households using 300 kWh, 400 kWh, and 500 kWh will see cuts of P32, P43, and P54, respectively.
GOOD NEWS AGAIN. Meralco customers are set to benefit anew this June from the second consecutive power rate reduction announced by the company.
What’s driving the price drop?
According to Meralco vice president and corporate communications head Joe Zaldarriaga, the primary driver behind this month’s reduction is a lower generation charge, which dipped by P0.1099 per kWh to P7.3552. This was made possible by cheaper rates from Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
PSAs dropped by P0.3699/kWh thanks to lower fuel prices and better power plant performance.
IPPs went down by P0.1034/kWh for similar reasons.
WESM, which often fluctuates wildly, showed a sharp decrease of P0.6342/kWh due to improved supply conditions in the Luzon grid.
Combined, PSAs, IPPs, and WESM accounted for Meralco’s total energy mix as follows: 48%, 33%, and 18%, respectively.
This decline was strong enough to outweigh a P0.0214 increase in transmission charges, caused by higher costs for ancillary services procured by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). Other charges, including taxes, also fell slightly by P0.0191 per kWh.
Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga calls on qualified customers of the company to apply for inclusion in the lifeline rate program and/or senior citizen discount.
No change in Meralco’s distribution charge
Meralco clarified that its own distribution charge has remained unchanged since August 2022, when it implemented a P0.0360/kWh reduction. Customers are also still benefiting from a true-up adjustment of P0.2024/kWh, which helps lower bills further.
Subsidy programs for lifeline and senior customers
Meralco is once again encouraging eligible customers to apply for electricity bill subsidies:
Lifeline Rate Program: Targeted at marginalized households, including Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries and those certified by their local Social Welfare and Development Offices.
Senior Citizen Discount: Filipinos aged 60 and above can avail a 5% discount on specific charges of their electricity bill—provided their usage stays under 100 kWh per month.
Only approved applicants will receive these discounts, and they must visit their nearest Meralco Business Center to apply.
Safety first: Electrical tips for the rainy season
With floods and storms becoming a frequent sight, Meralco issued a fresh reminder about electrical safety during wet weather. Zaldarriaga emphasized that “simple precautions can spell a big difference between safety and danger.”
Here are key safety measures to follow:
1. Turn off the main circuit breaker immediately if flooding occurs.
2. Unplug all appliances and unscrew light bulbs if possible.
3. Keep your hands dry when handling electrical devices.
4. Clean mud and debris from electrical boxes with rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes.
5. Ensure all wires and outlets are completely dry before reconnecting.
6. Have a licensed electrician inspect the system before switching anything back on.
With another power rate rollback and safety reminders in place, Meralco is offering both financial relief and peace of mind as the rainy season rolls in. Keep an eye on your usage, stay dry, and take advantage of available discounts to weather both the storms and your utility bill.