Higher electricity bills may reflect in June

CEBU, Philippines — Consumers in Metro Cebu may experience higher electricity rates this June as Visayan Electric announced that generation costs are expected to increase due to a combination of market and grid-related factors affecting the Visayas power system.

Visayan Electric, the country’s second-largest electric distribution utility, said the anticipated increase is mainly driven by tighter power supply conditions in the Visayas Grid.

The company said elevated electricity demand and limited operating reserves in May prompted several Yellow and Red Alert declarations, resulting in increased reliance on more expensive power sources and spot market purchases to maintain an adequate supply.

The utility added that generation costs were further pushed up by higher prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the continued depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar, and sustained increases in global fuel prices, all of which affect the cost of electricity procured from power suppliers.

Despite these external factors, Visayan Electric said it has implemented measures to cushion the impact of higher market prices on consumers.

“Our primary focus during periods of market volatility is customer protection,” said Visayan Electric President and General Manager Mark Anthony B. Kindica.

“While global fuel indices and grid alerts are beyond our control, we are working around the clock to aggressively manage what we can. Through disciplined power contract management, strategic supply allocation, and tight coordination with our generation partners, we have successfully absorbed and mitigated significant portions of the price spike so that it does not reach our consumers in full,” Kindica added.

With electricity rates expected to rise, the utility urged consumers to practice energy conservation to help manage their monthly bills.

Visayan Electric advised households to limit the use of high-energy appliances during peak hours, particularly from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., when electricity demand is highest.

The utility also recommended setting air conditioners to an energy-efficient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, regularly cleaning appliance filters to maintain efficiency, and unplugging electronic devices and chargers when not in use to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

Visayan Electric reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and said it will continue to coordinate closely with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure a reliable electricity supply and protect the interests of consumers across Metro Cebu. — (IHM) (FREEMAN)