By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A consumer advocacy coalition has criticized the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) over its latest electricity rate increase, warning that the higher power costs will further strain Filipino households already struggling with rising prices of basic commodities.
The Power for People Coalition (P4P) on Monday described the adjustment as another heavy burden on consumers, noting that it is the third electricity rate hike implemented by Meralco since March despite repeated appeals for relief amid continuing economic pressures.
In a statement, the group said ordinary consumers continue to shoulder increasing electricity generation costs, particularly those linked to fossil fuel prices, while wages remain inadequate to keep pace with the rising cost of living.
On July 10, Meralco announced that its residential electricity rate increased by ₱0.3428 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), raising the overall rate to ₱14.8261 per kWh this July from ₱14.4833 per kWh in June.
The company attributed the increase primarily to higher generation charges resulting from rising global fuel prices and related taxes.
For a household consuming 200 kWh monthly, the adjustment translates to an additional ₱69 on its electricity bill.
P4P argued that the continued practice of passing generation costs and other charges directly to consumers exposes deeper structural problems in the country’s privatized power industry.
Partido Lakas ng Masa President Leodegario “Ka Leody” De Guzman said the latest increase comes at a time when many Filipino families are already struggling to afford food, transportation, medicine, and other essential needs.
He maintained that every peso matters for minimum wage earners and that repeated electricity price increases further erode the purchasing power of ordinary workers.
P4P Convenor Gerry Arances also warned that renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could push global fuel prices even higher, potentially triggering additional increases in electricity rates in the coming months.
He urged energy regulators to review the automatic pass-through of fuel costs to consumers and called for stronger government intervention to protect households from volatile electricity prices.
The coalition likewise renewed its appeal for authorities to investigate complaints involving allegedly irregular electricity billings reported by some Meralco customers.
Arances said consumers who claim to have experienced unusually high electricity bills despite little or no increase in consumption deserve prompt and transparent resolution.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a Senate resolution seeking an inquiry into the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) policies governing electricity billing disputes and power rate adjustments.
The proposed investigation follows increasing reports from Metro Manila consumers alleging questionable meter readings and inaccurate electricity bills.
While Meralco has assured customers that disputed bill amounts need not be paid while complaints are under review, Hontiveros noted that the ERC has advised consumers to pay the questioned charges under protest to avoid possible disconnection, creating confusion among the public.
The senator said the conflicting guidance underscores the need for a Senate review of existing consumer protection policies as Filipino households continue to face successive electricity rate increases.
ia/xf
