The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is studying tycoon Ramon Ang’s acquisition of a minority stake in Lopez Inc. to evaluate potential breaches of anti-competitive safeguards and statutory ownership limits in the power sector. The regulatory review follows Ang’s buy-in to the holding...
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) reduced electricity rates for August as the regulator-approved refund cushioned increases in transmission, tax, and generation charges. In a statement, Meralco said the country’s largest power distributor lowered its overall rate for a typical household by ₱0.0428...
The country’s power supply mess is getting uglier by the day, particularly in the Visayas. Perhaps President Marcos’ “mahiya naman kayo” verbal fireworks now need to be directed squarely at Department of Energy (DOE) officials. While millions of distressed Filipinos endure tight supply and...
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged energy regulators to overhaul electricity billing rules and tighten caps on system losses, warning that high power tariffs continue to erode the country’s economic competitiveness and deter foreign investments. In a set of recommendations...
The government has eliminated administrative and regulatory bottlenecks for households and businesses installing small-scale solar panels for self-consumption to accelerate clean energy adoption and lower electricity costs. Under Department Circular No. DC2026-08-0017, signed by Energy Secretary...
Consumers and lawmakers cheered the SONA pledge to scrap system loss charges as if Christmas had come early with a gift-wrapped power discount. But electricity has a wicked sense of humor: erase the line item today, and the cost may quietly return tomorrow wearing a different name. After all, no...
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the largest power distributor in the country, assured full compliance with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) order to credit ₱9.51 billion back to its customer base. “Meralco supports initiatives of the government to provide relief to consumers and ensure...
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was ordered by energy regulators to refund ₱9.51 billion to its customer base after collecting unauthorized charges. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) directed the country’s largest power distributor to return an average rate of ₱0.3449 per kilowatt-hour...
At least two senators heeded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for an end to system loss charges burdening electricity consumers. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Joseph Victor JV” Ejercito each filed a bill on the matter, saying it is imperative that Filipino...
If there is one thing that has united consumers in recent months, it is not a national holiday or a collective celebration: it is the shared shock and frustration of opening their electric bills. For the millions of subscribers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), every billing cycle has become an...
The Philippines remains energy insecure as its growing dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil and tightening power reserves leave the country increasingly vulnerable to global fuel supply disruptions as well as power supply risks, according to state-run think tank Philippine Institute for...
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is preparing to penalize power generation companies in Visayas whose prolonged plant shutdowns have triggered persistent yellow grid alerts and threatened the regional power supply. ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan said in an interview last week that the...
