MANILA — The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Friday announced an increase of PHP0.5335 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in electricity rates for April, driven mainly by higher generation charges and the weakening of the peso against the US dollar.

The adjustment is expected to result in higher household electricity bills, with consumers using around 200 kWh likely to see an increase of about PHP107, while those consuming more than 500 kWh may face an additional PHP267.

During a virtual press briefing, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said the increase was lower than earlier projections.

“Given the situation on the ground, Meralco was able to somehow manage the cost of the generation charge, in particular the last March supply,” he said.

He said the generation charge rose by PHP0.5257/kWh to PHP8.39 from PHP7.87/kWh in March.

Zaldarriaga also noted that transmission charges went down by PHP0.065/kWh due to lower ancillary service costs from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) sourced from the Reserve Market.

He added that the impact of the Middle East conflict has not yet been reflected in this month’s billing cycle, warning that it may be felt in the May generation charge.