Amid the continued grid alerts in the region, consumers in Visayas may see lower power bills this month following a decline in wholesale spot market prices, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP). In a media briefing on Thursday, Aug. 6, IEMOP vice...
House members sought clarification on the highly technical nature of system loss on Wednesday, Aug. 6 as the Committee on Energy held its first hearing to discuss issues and concerns surrounding the proposed abolition of system loss charges from electricity bills. Pangasinan 2nd district Rep. Mark...
The Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) is demanding a formal role in the ongoing review of the country’s landmark power legislation, arguing that a quarter-century of regulation must be updated to align with modern engineering standards while safeguarding...
Top leaders from the House of Representatives have filed a measure seeking to exempt electricity consumers from paying the 12 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the much-panned system loss charges. Filed by Senior Deputy Speaker South Cotabato Cotabato 2nd district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez and...
Manuel V. Pangilinan-led power distribution giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is stepping up its grid modernization strategy through continued investments in enhanced smart metering technologies aimed at strengthening its distribution network and reducing electricity losses. In a statement on...
The World Bank urged the Philippines to accelerate power sector reforms to lower electricity costs and reduce its dependence on imported fuel, saying cheaper and more reliable power has become critical to sustaining economic growth, attracting investments, and reducing poverty after the country’s...
Electricity consumers face higher monthly power bills starting this August after energy regulators granted urgent approval to raise a line-item surcharge that subsidizes renewable power developers. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) issued a provisional authority allowing state-owned National...
Households face higher electricity bills starting in 2027 under the proposal by state-owned National Transmission Corp. (Transco) to raise the uniform line-item charge that subsidizes renewable energy developers. TransCo petitioned the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to increase the Feed-in...
The Office of the Ombudsman sought a preliminary investigation of Senator Loren Legarda and her son Batangas 1st distict Rep. Leandro Leviste for plunder and graft over alleged abuse of legislative and regulatory powers in securing solar energy contracts, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying”...
President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) failed to mention the climate crisis, destructive mining, and communities threatened by the continued expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, a Roman Catholic bishop pointed out on Thursday, July 30. “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr....
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earned widespread public approval when he declared in his fifth State of the Nation Address that consumers should no longer pay the system loss charge on their electricity bills. His reasoning was straightforward. Electricity lost before it reaches homes and...
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan cautioned that removing system loss charges from electricity bills would place an unsustainable financial burden on the power industry, emphasizing that technical line losses are an unavoidable reality of power distribution. While the...
