Power rates down, gas prices up this month

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MANILA – The Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) residential power rates will go down by P0.57 per kilowatt hour (kwh) this month, after the generation charge pulled down its tariff by P0.42 per kwh.

This has been the fifth consecutive month that the utility firm lowered its rates, with the total reduction already at P2.00 per kwh.

“This brings the total reduction to P2.13 per kwh over the past five months. This month’s reduction also marks the seventh time this year that rates have gone down,” Meralco said in a statement.

Aside from the lower generation charge, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) transmission charge, as well as taxes and other charges, also declined.

“In addition to the generation charge, transmission charge also registered a reduction of P0.04 per kwh due to lower power delivery service and ancillary service charges… [Moreover], taxes and other charges went down by P0.05 per kwh and P0.06 per kwh, respectively,” the statement continued.

This month’s overall rate, which has been P1.81 lower than the rate during the same period last year, was the lowest recorded in five years.

Typical households consuming around 200 kilowatt hours (kwhs) will then have a P113.46-reduction in their electricity bills. Those consuming 300 kwh, 400 kwh and 500 kwh can expect a P170.19, P226.92 and P283.65-drop in their bills, respectively.

Meanwhile, gas prices increased after weeks of price rollbacks. Gasoline was up by P1.75 per liter, while diesel and kerosene was increased by P1.95 and P1.85 per liter as of 12:01 a.m., September 8.