The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) has announced a Php 0.4201 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in electricity rates for the month of October, bringing the overall rates to Php 11.8190/kWh.
For typical households that consume 200 kWh, a Php 84 increase will be evident in their billing cycle. While residents with 300 kWh, 400 kWh, and 500 kWh will see Php 126, Php 168, and Php 210 increases, respectively.
According to the electric power distributor, higher power generation charges, transmission, and universal charges were recorded, fueling the increase in overall rates.
Meanwhile, The increase in generation charges reached Php 0.3015/kWh to Php 7.1267/kWh primarily due to higher charges from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs).
MERALCO said there were certain days that the supply of Malampaya stopped, so alternative fuels were used instead. For the month of September alone, its unavailability increased to 21% compared to other months, which resulted in a forced shutdown of the San Gabriel Power Plant, further pushing power rates upward.
At present, MERALCO affirmed Dubai crude prices impose no observable effect yet on the rates.
In line with the upcoming Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Elections, MERALCO is currently conducting its preparation initiatives. Inspections of approximately 3,000 public schools, barangays, and multi-purpose halls to be used as election sites were completed as a precautionary measure.
Additionally, they conducted continuous inspection and maintenance of its distribution facilities serving polling and canvassing centers.
MERALCO said they employed crew in strategic locations and have already prepared 300 generators and 800 floodlights on standby if needed during election day.
