SUMMER IS POWER PLANT WATCH SEASON

April 26, 2018

Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines warns the public of the increasing trend of electricity prices due to corresponding increases in generation charges and the expected higher power demand in the summer months.

Electricity consumers have already paid for higher rates for the third straight month in April. As provided in the rates archive of Meralco, generation charges have spiked from Php 4.6548 per kWh from February, Php 5.2962 from March and Php 5.4735 per kWh for April, or a total of Php 0.1773 per kWh increase in the electricity bill.

This translates to an increase of P45 in the bill for typical households that consume 200 kWh. For those consuming 300 kWh, an increase of P67.50; for those consuming 400 kWh, an increase of P90; and for those who consuming 500 kWh, an increase of P112.50.

As a way of protecting consumers in such unwelcoming price increases, CitizenWatch Philippines has consistently called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to do a fitness inventory and constant monitoring of the scheduled maintenance of the power plants.

Further, as we seek to protect rights of the consumers to have reliable, accessible and affordable for the Filipinos, CitizenWatch Philippines pledges to continue its initiative, Power Plant Watch where the group closely monitors the performance of power plants and identifies shutdown of power plants by name to increase transparency in the generation side.