Manila: Lower transmission charges led to a PHP0.1637 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) reduction in Manila Electric Company's (Meralco) power rates for January 2026, the Pangilinan-led firm announced Monday. This marks the second consecutive month of rate cuts, reducing the monthly bill of customers consuming 200 kWh by about PHP33, according to Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga.
According to Philippine News Agency, Zaldarriaga stated during a press briefing that despite upward pressures on certain cost components, overall electricity rates declined. He highlighted that the generation charge also decreased due to lower prices from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), citing improvements in the Luzon grid's power situation. However, he noted that the rate reduction was partly offset by the implementation of the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All), which the Energy Regulatory Commission ordered to take effect this month.
GEA-All is an added charge imposed on all on-grid end-users to fully compensate investments in renewable energy power plants included in the Department of Energy's Green Energy Auction program. Zaldarriaga declined to provide details on February rates, saying these depend on factors such as generation and transmission costs. He added that January is typically a low-consumption period that extends into February.
Addressing capacity outlook for the "summer" months, Zaldarriaga assured: "We have always ensured that we have adequate capacity coming into our system to make sure that we will be able to supply efficient, reliable and adequate electricity to all our customers."
In a related matter, Zaldarriaga warned the public against stealing Meralco facilities, such as power cables, following a recent incident in Quezon City where a man was electrocuted while cutting a live power line. The victim suffered severe flashover burns and remains in critical condition. The incident temporarily disrupted electricity service to nearly 8,000 customers.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan Savaet urged the public to be vigilant and help prevent such activities to ensure safe and reliable power service. "This incident underscores the grave dangers of stealing power cables and electrical facilities. Beyond service interruptions, these acts pose life-threatening risks due to the high voltage of Meralco facilities," Savaet said in the same briefing. "Any contact with energized facilities can result in severe injury or death."
