Meralco (Meralco) increased electricity rates by ₱0.4895 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in November 2026, adding nearly ₱100 to the monthly bills of households consuming 200 kWh as warmer temperatures, higher power demand, and rising generation costs drove up electricity prices.
The adjustment brings the overall residential rate to ₱15.5510 per kWh from ₱15.0615 in October. A household consuming 200 kWh will pay approximately ₱98 more this month if its electricity consumption remains unchanged.
Meralco attributed most of the increase to generation charges, which climbed by ₱0.4344 per kWh due to higher electricity procurement costs.
Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose by ₱4.3946 per kWh as average electricity demand in Luzon increased by approximately 769 megawatts in October amid warmer temperatures.
Power costs from natural gas suppliers also increased following the quarterly repricing of Malampaya natural gas and greater reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Plants operated by First Gas and Prime CoreGen increased their LNG utilization from 24% to 44%, while the weaker Philippine peso raised costs for electricity purchases denominated in US dollars.
The increases were partially offset by a ₱0.2769-per-kWh reduction in charges under power supply agreements.
Meanwhile, Meralco began implementing a six-month refund of ₱0.1733 per kWh for residential customers following approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The adjustment comes on top of two existing refunds totaling ₱1.0139 per kWh.
The ERC has also extended payment deadlines for certain unpaid electricity bills. Outstanding balances covering May to July must be settled by Nov. 26, while unpaid August-to-October bills are due by Dec. 26.
Residential customers consuming 200 kWh or less in November or December will remain protected from disconnection during the covered period, provided they settle outstanding May-to-July bills and applicable installment payments by Nov. 26.
