Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 4) — Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said consumers may see a reduction in electricity rates this month on the back of lower demand as the wet season begins.
“May nakikita kaming posibilidad na bumaba itong halaga ng kuryente na binibili natin sa ating mga suppliers,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon on Monday.
“Pero bakit? Mainly because sa pagbaba ng demand dahil sa pagpasok ng tag-ulan,” he explained.
[Translation: We see a possibility that the cost of the electricity we buy from our suppliers will go down. But why? Mainly because of the drop in demand due to the onset of the rainy season.]
The state weather bureau declared the start of the rainy season in the country early in June.
Zaldarriaga said there is a “seasonality of consumption,” where the market usually records higher demand and rates during the summer months of March to June.
Asked how much could be slashed, Zaldarriaga said there is no estimate yet as the company awaits billings from generation firms.
Last month, Meralco implemented a rate hike of ₱0.4183, rising to ₱11.9112 per kilowatt-hour.
