With Filipino consumers already reeling from punishing summer power bills, it’s time to confront an uncomfortable truth: the ₱0.0371/kWh GEA-All charge surreptitiously embedded in electricity rates is not anchored on solid statutory footing under Republic Act 9136 (EPIRA) or the Renewable...
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) raised alarm after a 34-year-old man died in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City, before dawn on Saturday, April 25, while allegedly attempting to steal live electrical cables, an incident that also triggered a power outage affecting more than 6,000 customers....
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) urged local government units to provide free electricity to the most vulnerable households in the country. ULAP President Dakila “Dax’’ Cua said the 100 percent discount on electricity charges is a timely intervention amid ...
The Marcos administration is weighing the reversal of the government’s restrictive coal policy as the country grapples with the dual pressures of surging summer demand and volatile global energy prices. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told reporters on Monday, April 20, that the Department of...
While fuel prices are expected to drop next week, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) consumers will face higher electricity rates this month. Effective April, Meralco will see a ₱0.5335-per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in its power rates, from ₱13.8161/kWh to ₱14.3496/kWh. For households consuming...
Power rates in Luzon may see an increase this month, as its average spot market price posted the highest jump among the three regions due to the power supply-demand imbalance experienced in March. In a media briefing on Wednesday, April 8, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the...
Ayala-led renewable energy (RE) firm ACEN Corp. remains the largest retail electricity supplier (RES) in the market, having taken over the majority of the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco). According to Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), ACEN’s RES arm captured 71 percent...
The government should address persistent competition barriers in the retail electricity market to widen consumers’ ability to purchase power from their preferred suppliers, according to the antitrust watchdog Philippine Competition Commission (PCC). In a statement on Monday, April 6, the PCC said...
While there is no specific provision calling for immediate economic relief for the middle class families is stated in the report, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the suspension of the excise tax, as well as the possibility of suspending the value added tax (VAT) may benefit all households. Gatchalian...
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – More than 44,000 Albay Electric Cooperative customers here are set to receive a one-time subsidy of P300, Mayor Hisham Ismail said on Friday, March 27. Ismail said the financial assistance for residential meter holders is part of the city government’s initiative to cushion...
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any increase in power rates would be implemented on a staggered basis in light of the tensions happening in the Middle East. Gatchalian said doing so would protect consumers from sudden financial distress...
The Caloocan City government has issued Executive Order No. 007-26, directing all city offices to implement measures aimed at conserving fuel and electricity. According to the city’s Public Information Office, the order was signed by Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, adopts the provisions...
