Residents in Dagupan City may see higher electricity bills in April or May 2026 as rising global fuel prices could increase generation costs, the local electric company said.

Dagupan Electric Corporation (DECORP) clarified that the March billing cycle will not reflect the recent fuel price hike caused by the Middle East crisis. But officials warned that future bills could rise if coal and fuel costs increase.

“Kasi ‘yung bibilhin na coal na gagamitin sa generating plant, doon na magkakaroon ng influence kung meron man ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo ng fuel worldwide papunta doon sa presyo ng coal,” Atty. Randy Castilan, DECORP chief operating officer, said.

Most power plants in the Philippines import coal from other countries. The cost includes freight and foreign exchange rates, which may be passed on to consumers as part of the generation charge — currently averaging P4.95 per kilowatt-hour at DECORP.

“Oo, starting April at May, mararamdaman na natin bunsod sa pagtaas ng presyo sa pamilihang pandaigdig ng panggatong at ‘yun na ring pagtaas ng demand. So, magkakasabay siya. So, inaasahan natin na magiging malaki ang pagsipa sa presyo sa kuryente,” Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan, chairman and CEO of the Energy Regulatory Commission, said.

DECORP urged consumers to conserve electricity amid the hot weather.

“Palagi ako sa labas na lang para makatipid. Sa labas na lang kasi may libreng hangin. Sa ilaw, kapag tulog ka na, iisa na lang ang gagamitin mong ilaw,” Flor Deliza Abalos, a consumer, said.

For now, DECORP said the electricity supply remains stable ahead of the summer season.

“Sa ngayon, stable naman. Wala namang announcement ang DOE na magkakaroon ng depletion sa supply,” Castilan added.