Meralco: Gen charge likely lower in March

Rappler.com

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The utility cites the cool weather and normal supply situation as reasons for the reduction in the charge

DISREGARD BILL. Meralco tells its customers to disregard their December 2013 bills after the Supreme Court temporarily stopped its power rate hike. File photo by Romeo Gacad/AFP

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Electric Company (Meralco) customers may expect lower electricity bills in March.

Meralco Utility Economics head Lawrence Fernandez said customers “may see another decrease in the generation charge” this month.

“There are strong indications that March gen charge will be lower than February’s based on information we currently have,” he said. “Demand remained moderate because of the cool weather, while supply situation was normal.”

The actual generation charge for March will be announced next week. “We’re still waiting for billing adjustments and we will know the final numbers probably by Monday,” added Fernandez.

In February, the generation charge was P5.54 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while January’s was P5.67 per kWh. However, January’s was capped in deference to the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on Meralco’s rate hike for the billing month of December. The January charge was supposed to be P10.23 per kWh.

Meralco reiterated it does not earn from the generation charge, which comprises nearly 60% of a consumer’s electricity bill. Payment for it goes to the power suppliers.

Meralco said separately that it would return some P58 million “deferred amount” that customers paid in February. The deferred amount was in relation to the December hike, which Meralco was supposed to implement on staggered basis.

“As stated in our earlier response to the ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission), we will return to affected customers the amount they have paid corresponding to the deferred amount. This will be done through credit to bill,” said Fernandez. (READ: Meralco to refund payments for ‘deferred’ rate hike)

Of the total 5.5 million customers of Meralco, only about 7% or around 430,000 customers received bills with deferred amount in February. Of the 430,000 customers, only 8% or 37,000 opted to pay said amount.

“We would like to reiterate that Meralco has no intention to collect the deferred amount. We included the deferred amount in the bill only for transparency purposes. In recognition of the feedback we got from our customers, though, we will make it clearer in their March bills, as to which amount they will only have to pay. In addition, the deferred amount will no longer be included in the total amount due,” said Fernandez. – Rappler.com

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