10 electric cooperatives offer lower rates than Meralco

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 electric cooperatives had cheaper residential power rates in 2024 than Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest electricity distributor.

Data from the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) showed that Meralco’s residential rate last year had averaged P12.1683 per kilowatt hour (kWh). It was higher than the residential rates of some cooperatives —ranging from P9.4808 to P12.1161 per kWh.

Pampanga I Electric Cooperative Inc. (Pelco I), for instance, had an average residential rate of P9.4808 per kWh, lower by P2.6875 per kWh than Meralco's rate.

READ: Power co-ops borrowed P1.8B to improve services

Other power cooperatives with cheaper rates last year included Pelco II and III; First Laguna Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Batangas Electric Cooperative, Inc. I and II; Quezon Electric Cooperative, Inc. I and II; and Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. I and II.

Meralco delivers electricity to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and select areas in Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.

Philreca representative Presley de Jesus previously said that despite Meralco’s over 8 million consumer base, its rates have continued to increase. /dda

READ: Meralco increases power rates by 45 centavos/kwh in July

 

(2025/08/05-13:27)

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