Meralco to hike rates in August

GIVEN an increase in the cost of power supply, rates charged to customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will also rise this month, the nation’s largest electricity distributor has announced.

According to Meralco, its rates will increase by P0.31 per kilowatt-hour in August. This translates to a P62 increase in the monthly electric bill for customers consuming 200 kWh. “An increase in the generation charge, and higher universal charge, lifeline subsidy and taxes drove the overall upward adjustment,” Meralco said in a statement.