Meralco electricity rates rise in October 2026 as generation costs rise
Expect too Meralco’s higher distribution charges to kick in next month, but a newly approved refund could soften that impact on consumers
-
-
[OPINION] The problem with DOE’s Mid-Merit Natural Gas Capacity Auction Program
Natural gas can provide useful mid-merit and balancing services. That capability does not justify a uniform gas procurement across grids with different supply conditions and cost structures.
-
With power bills already high, Meralco wins approval to raise own fees after 15 years
After its first rate review in 15 years, Meralco has won regulatory approval to raise its distribution charges even after already posting a record P51.13 billion in profits in 2025
-
No more VAT on system loss in electricity bills starting October
While the VAT removal is still welcome relief, expect savings to be modest as the much larger underlying system loss charge is unlikely to disappear from electricity bills anytime soon
-
NGCP ends years-long fight over regulatory fees with ERC
The regulator did not disclose the total amount covered under its compromise agreement with the grid operator, how much of the fees had already been collected, and how much is left to collect
-
MAP: Where have system losses been highest from 2021 to 2025?
Explore this interactive map to see how high the system losses have been in your area
-
EXPLAINER: What is system loss, and how does it affect your power bill?
(1st UPDATE) System loss, which accounts for about 5% of a Meralco bill, includes electricity lost to illegal connections and metering errors. The key question legislators need to answer is who will absorb the cost instead.
-
Meralco: Some system loss unavoidable, urges careful EPIRA reform
‘System loss is not unique to any distribution utility but is a common operational aspect of the delivery of electricity,’ Meralco says in a statement, adding that its system loss rate was ‘well below’ the 6.5% cap set by regulators
-
[Vantage Point] System loss: The electricity consumers pay for but never receive
Behind that popular declaration lies a complicated regulatory system that has protected distribution utilities from costs that most businesses would normally be expected to manage
-
[In This Economy] The populist economics of SONA 2026
This year’s SONA seems to be a bit more polished and better crafted—in form, at least. In terms of substance, though, it’s terribly populist.
