Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Power distributor Meralco hinted at a possible rate increase next month.
This comes after Luzon’s power supply dipped to a critical level several times last week.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines even raised a “red alert” status after demand breached available supply last Friday (April 15).
According to the Department of Energy, the increasing heat index triggered the “unusual rise” in demand for power, where Luzon alone reached around 9,700 megawatts.
“Nakikita natin there really is pressure for prices to go up at least for May,” said Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga.
Groups protest higher rates
Consumer group Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) opposes the rate hike.
The group wants energy regulators to issue a moratorium on Meralco’s impending rate increase, as well as this month’s adjustment driven mainly by higher Feed-in-Tariff costs.
“Ang challenge sa ERC, kung sinasabing siya ay may kapangyarihan, gamitin naman niya yan,” said Erwin Puhawan, FDC power coordinator.
They want to probe the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its “failure to curb corporate abuses” and “failure to regulate [the power industry.]”
However, the ERC said it will only review approved rates if there is a petition to do so — but they have yet to receive one.
Related: Power supply in Luzon back to normal
“Ang commitment naman ng commission, if there’s a motion for reconsideration, we will evaluate it immediately,” said ERC spokesperson Rexie Digal.
CitizenWatch, another consumer group, is more concerned about having stable power supply during the May 9 elections.
The group wants all energy stakeholders to lay down their cards and admit whether there is a need to declare a power crisis.
“Sabihin na nila kung meron tayong ine-expect na power o energy crisis para as early as now ay masolusyonan na at makita ano pa pwede gawin,” said Wilford Wong, secretary general of CitizenWatch.
[Translation: “The ERC should tell us if there’s a looming power or energy crisis, so as early as now, we can look for solutions and find what else we can do.”]
But energy officials are confident there will be no power outage in the upcoming elections.
The NGCP previously said they can provide sufficient power supply come May 9, but they cannot plan around unexpected events.
Related: Officials working on ensuring power supply on May 9
