Meralco to review fuel position amid Middle East conflict

Power distribution firm Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Wednesday said it will review its fuel position, particularly in liquefied natural gas (LNG), and assess its potential impact on power prices following the Middle East conflict that has driven global oil prices higher.

In a post on his X account, Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel Pangilinan said the company will also examine how coal and diesel prices could affect electricity costs.

“We want to ensure adequate power supply and manage price volatility as responsibly as possible. I have made it clear to the team that we must help protect consumers as the cost of goods rises globally,” Pangilinan said.

Meralco is urging consumers to be conscious of their electricity use as global fuel supplies tighten amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“It would also help if we’re mindful of our electricity consumption as the war in the Middle East continues," he said.

"We import much of the fuel used to generate power — we can all help ensure enough power to get through the next few weeks if we conserve,” Pangilinan added.

The review comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. US-Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend, a development confirmed by Iranian state media.

US President Donald Trump celebrated the death and warned that combat operations in Iran would continue until all objectives are achieved, with initial reports confirming three US service members killed and more casualties expected.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday that it is preparing measures to mitigate the conflict’s impact.

The Philippines currently has “adequate fuel supply,” with inventories three times the minimum required for companies to operate for 15 days.

Meralco had earlier raised electricity rates in February by 22.26 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh), bringing the overall rate for a typical household to ₱13.1734 per kWh — equivalent to an increase of around ₱45 for customers consuming 200 kWh.

The company constructs, operates, and maintains electric distribution systems in the cities and municipalities of Bulacan, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Rizal, as well as in parts of Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and Quezon.—MCG, GMA Integrated News