Baguio city: The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) has maintained affordable electricity rates for the past 16 years, crediting increased power demand and internally generated revenues for sustaining its operations and services without seeking a rate hike.
According to Philippines News Agency, Beneco General Manager Engineer Melchor Licoben revealed at a press briefing that the cooperative recorded a 6.5 percent increase in electricity demand in 2024, followed by a 6 percent rise in the first half of 2025. "We are fortunate that the demand for electricity continues to rise. This has allowed us to sustain our operations without needing to request a rate increase from the Energy Regulatory Commission," Licoben stated.
Beneco currently charges PHP0.99 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for distribution, supply, and metering (DSM), along with PHP0.2178 for the Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capex (RFSC), totaling PHP1.20 per kWh retained by the cooperative. With an average monthly consumption of 47 million kWh, this equates to approximately PHP50 million in monthly operational funds. "We never increased this for 16 years. We have about PHP50 million average fund for our operation and improvement of services that benefits the consumers," he added.
Licoben also pointed out additional income streams from pole rentals to telecommunications companies and surcharges reinvested in system improvements. The cooperative's system loss rate was 7.76 percent in 2024, well below the allowable 10.25 percent, and its collection efficiency stood at 99 percent. This efficiency, Licoben noted, enables Beneco to avoid surcharges from its power supplier and even qualify for a 1 percent prompt payment discount, part of which is returned to consumers.
Beneco demonstrated strong reliability scores, with its System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) at 10.76, below the standard maximum of 20, and its System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) at 24.65, well under the 45-hour threshold. "As much as possible, we avoid power outages. The more electricity is consumed, the more efficient our DSM and RFSC operations become," Licoben said.
Beneco, serving Baguio City and Benguet province, holds a 'Triple A' rating based on performance indicators reflecting high service standards and consumer satisfaction.
