MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) has maintained the most affordable residential electricity rate in Western Visayas in July, despite the fact its overall charge slightly increased due to higher transmission costs.

The Iloilo-based utility charged PHP 10.61 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) last month, which is a small PHP 0.09 rise from its June rate of PHP 10.5249/kWh, but still the lowest among eight utilities in Region 6. The increase was attributed to elevated ancillary service costs in the national Reserve Market, which affected all power distributors.

“This is an industry-wide factor beyond our control,” MORE Power said in a statement.

Despite the upward adjustment in transmission charges, the company reported a decline in generation costs, citing savings from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The cost offset helped minimize the impact on consumer bills.

“At MORE Power, we remain committed to delivering more reliable, stable, and responsive service- ensuring that every peso you spend brings greater value to your home and daily life,” the utility added.

Regional data showed that GUIMELCO posted the highest residential rate in July at PHP 12.64/kWh, followed by AKELCO (PHP 12.36), ANTECO (PHP 12.14), ILECO 1 (PHP 12.05), ILECO 3 (PHP 11.80), ILECO 2 (PHP 11.61), and CAPELCO (PHP 12.10).

MORE Power’s minor adjustment came as the country’s largest utility, Meralco, implemented a more substantial rate hike of PHP 0.4883/kWh in July. Meralco’s increase brought its residential rate to PHP 12.6435/kWh. It cites higher generation charges due to more expensive Power Supply Agreements, global fuel cost volatility, and the peso’s depreciation. The company also noted geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran as contributing to price instability.

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