Manila: Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has introduced Senate Resolution No. 581, advocating for an inquiry into the lack of regular fuel cost audits within the power sector. He highlights the necessity for enhanced oversight as escalating generation charges continue to inflate electricity bills for Filipino consumers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian emphasized the critical need for accountability and transparency, noting that the surging generation charges and absence of routine fuel cost audits point to the importance of ensuring electricity is supplied at the least possible cost. He stated, "Rising generation charges and the lack of regular fuel cost audits reveal the urgent need for stronger accountability and transparency in the power generation sector to ensure that electricity is supplied at the least-cost manner."

Gatchalian provided data illustrating the impact on consumers, noting that a Meralco residential customer using 200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) monthly experienced an increase in electricity bills from approximately PHP2,350, or PHP11.74 per kWh, in January 2025 to PHP2,970, or PHP14.83 per kWh, in July 2026, despite consistent consumption levels. "These figures show that the country's high electricity rates are largely driven by generation charges that are ultimately passed on to consumers," he explained.

The Senate President also highlighted that in July 2026, fuel costs, predominantly from Meralco's contracted supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal, comprised 86.16 percent of the utility's total generation charges. This underscores the necessity to assess whether fuel costs are accurately audited and reflected in power rates.