Meralco, the largest power distributor in the Philippines, is expected to increase electricity charges this month of March, contrary to the anticipated reduction from the previous month. Instead of a decrease, a slight increase in the electric bill is expected due to the rise in the Transmission Charge imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).
According to Meralco, the expected increase of P0.02/kwh will result in additional charges for consumers. To understand its impact on customers, let’s examine examples of possible increases in bills based on various levels of consumption:
- For a household with a consumption of 200 kwh, they will incur an additional P4 on their bill.
- For families with an average consumption of 300 kwh, an increase of P6 is expected in their charges.
- For higher consumption households reaching 400 kwh, an additional P8 is anticipated on their bill.
- And for large households consuming 500 kwh, an increase of P10 is expected in their charges.
While this is only a slight increase, it is still significant for many families who rely on every cent of their income. Especially in today’s time of continuously rising prices of goods, the additional expenses on electricity could add to the burden of families with limited income.
The increase in electricity charges is often caused by various factors such as rising oil prices, increases in distribution charges, and other regulations affecting the energy industry. In this case, the increase in the Transmission Charge by NGCP is the primary reason for the rise in Meralco’s electricity charges.
Amidst these changes in electricity charges, citizens must be more cautious in their electricity usage and find ways to reduce their consumption. This can be achieved through the use of energy-efficient appliances, turning off unnecessary lights, and other measures to save on electricity.
Overall, while the increase in electricity charges this month is expected, it is still important to be cautious and learn to economize on our electricity consumption to alleviate its impact on our families and our wallets.