ERC says no objection to Meralco plan to ease May power rate hike

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Monday said it has no objection to Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) proposal to make adjustments to its power supply deals earlier than scheduled, a move which could help lower the increase in electricity bills this month.

According to the ERC, Meralco’s proposal to immediately implement adjustments could reduce the increase to P0.4350 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from the earlier announced P1.0277 per kWh, which was due to higher power supply costs, rising global fuel prices, and the depreciation of the peso.

“The ERC noted the proposal and raised no objection, subject to verification, review, and submission of complete supporting documents and reportorial requirements,” the agency said in a statement.

Meralco earlier clarified that its charges, based on the average of its customers as of 2025, was 64% for generation charges, 12% for distribution, 8% for transmission, 5% for system loss, and 11% for distribution.

The power distributor, which has yet to release its rates for May, hiked its rates by 53 centavos per kWh in April, translating to an increase of P106 in the bill of a typical household consuming 200 kWh due mainly to higher generation costs amid the Middle East crisis.

“We understand the burden that rising electricity prices bring to Filipino households, especially during periods of global uncertainty and increasing fuel costs,” ERC chairperson and chief executive officer Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan said.

“The ERC continues to work closely with distribution utilities and other industry stakeholders to identify measures that can help reduce the impact on consumers,” he added.

In the same statement, Juan said the ERC remains committed to ensuring that all charges passed on to consumers are reviewed, transparent, and reasonable, and that interventions balance consumer protection, reliable electricity service, and energy security.

The Philippines, a net importer of fuel, has been impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, prompting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national energy emergency in March. — RSJ, GMA News