The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) raised its residential electricity rates this February despite the country still being in cooler months and before the official start of summer, while several provincial utilities under business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. — Bohol Light, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), and MORE Power in Iloilo — implemented substantial rate cuts exceeding ₱1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Meralco’s February residential rate increased by ₱0.2226 per kWh, bringing the total to ₱13.1734 per kWh from ₱12.9508 in January.
The utility cited higher transmission charges and an upward adjustment in the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) as the main drivers of the increase, which outweighed modest reductions in generation costs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
In contrast, utilities under Razon’s business portfolio passed on significant savings to consumers.
MORE Power (Iloilo) reduced its residential rate by ₱1.06 per kWh, lowering it from ₱12.66 to ₱11.60 per kWh. Households consuming 200 kWh may save around ₱212 this month. The reduction was primarily due to lower Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices, decreased system losses, and improved reliability of generation plants.
Bohol Light implemented a ₱1.6075 per kWh cut, bringing residential rates to ₱12.5251 per kWh, citing lower generation charges and decreased line rental costs.
NEPC posted one of the largest reductions, lowering rates by ₱1.66 per kWh, from ₱13.10 to ₱11.44 per kWh, the decrease followed a sharp drop in generation costs.
Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga rerminded customers that with electricity rates already higher this February, they should prepare for the upcoming summer season, when energy demand typically spikes.
“We reiterate our call for customers to practice energy efficiency as we approach the dry season,” Zaldarriaga added.
The contrasting rate movements are drawing attention as both Meralco and MORE Power are proposing a joint venture agreement with BATELEC II, an electric cooperative in Batangas. The proposed partnership aims to address persistent electricity supply challenges in the province, improve operational efficiency, and provide reliable service to consumers.
Industry observers note that these monthly rate adjustments provide Batangas residents and other stakeholders a tangible benchmark of how each company manages costs and responds to market conditions, which could inform future decisions regarding the BATELEC II joint venture.
While electricity pricing is influenced by several regulated components — generation, transmission, system loss, universal charges, and taxes — the final rates paid by consumers remain the clearest indicator of utility performance and competitiveness.
While households in Meralco’s service area face slightly higher bills ahead of the summer months, consumers served by MORE Power, Bohol Light, and NEPC are enjoying real savings this month.
