The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has confirmed an increase in electricity rates this April, with an additional charge of P0.53 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) set to be reflected in consumers’ monthly bills.

According to the power distributor on Friday, the rate hike will take effect in the April 2026 billing cycle, in a report by RH Edniel Parrosa on DZRH's Operation Tulong.

For households consuming an average of 200 kWh per month, this translates to an estimated increase of P107 in their electricity bill.

The P0.53 per kWh increase is equivalent to:

The company attributed the adjustment primarily to a rise in the generation charge, driven in part by the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar. This has increased the cost of fuel used in power generation.

Earlier, Meralco said the effects of the ongoing oil crisis in the Middle East would likely be felt this month.

Higher global fuel prices have put pressure on the cost of diesel, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which are widely used by power plants supplying electricity to the grid.

Despite the increase, the adjustment will not be implemented in a staggered manner. Under the guidelines of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), rate hikes exceeding P1.00 per kWh must be spread out over several billing periods.

Since the current increase is below that threshold, consumers will feel the full impact in their April bills.

The ERC had previously directed power distributors to stagger rate increases above P1.00/kWh to cushion the effect on consumers. However, with the P0.53/kWh adjustment falling below that level, the full increase will be charged in a single billing cycle.

Meralco noted that rising global oil prices continue to affect electricity costs, as many power plants rely on fuel whose prices are influenced by international markets.