Consumers served by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are preparing for an increase in their electricity bills this June. The utility firm has announced that the generation charge, which makes up a significant portion of the total rate, is expected to rise due to higher costs from power suppliers.
Meralco attributed the projected hike to the spike in prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where the utility sources a portion of its power. The company also cited increased charges from independent power producers and power supply agreements.
This forecast follows a series of adjustments in recent months, putting additional strain on household budgets amid rising inflation. Consumer groups have urged Meralco to explore measures to mitigate the impact, such as sourcing cheaper power or improving operational efficiency.
Meralco advises its customers to practice energy conservation to help manage their bills.