Consumers are being asked to manage their electricity consumption as power prices may rise in the summer months due to the surge in demand, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. 

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Lotilla said that should power demand rise, they would have to run oil-based power plants. “If you use oil, as you know the prices are much higher [than] if we use other fuels.”

MERALCO rates will rise this March following the maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya gas field in February. 

Lotilla said that consumers must learn to manage their usage of power, especially during peak hours: 11 AM to 12 NN, 2 PM to 3 PM, and 7 PM to 8 PM. 

The Luzon Grid could face 12 yellow alerts this year, most especially during the summer months due to insufficiency of power reserves, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

The Energy Chief also noted the country’s need for other available sources of energy, including coal, to meet the growing demand. 

He added that the government is ensuring that there is a level playing field that would encourage more private investments in the industry. 

Currently, there are 194 infrastructure flagship projects unveiled by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), four of which are related to power and energy. 

Earlier, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the government is eyeing a 7 AM to 4 PM schedule for government offices in order to reduce power costs and mitigate traffic.