CHARGES UP. Meralco electricity bills are expected to rise in November on higher charges. AFP PHOTO/Jay Directo

MANILA, Philippines - Customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) must brace for higher electricity bills this month as the power distributor announced adjustments in its charges.

Meralco said the generation charge increased by P0.1352 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P5.6331/kWh in November from P5.4979/kWh last month.

Similarly, transmission and system loss charges are up by P0.90/kWh and P0.90/kWh, respectively.

The increase in the generation charge was due to higher prices of power that Meralco sourced from suppliers -- the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the National Power Corp.

The generation charge is a pass-through charge, which means Meralco does not earn from it.

The same is true for the transmission charge. It is remitted to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which operates the country's power transmission highway.

Only the system loss charge -- due to pilferage and dissipation in the course of transmission -- accrues to Meralco. - Rappler.com