THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Monday ordered Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to refund P2.64 billion to consumers for the lapsed period of January to June 2026.
In a statement on Monday, the ERC said Meralco must initially refund P2.64 billion, or an average rate of P0.1020 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), to all types of consumers over a six-month period.
Residential and General Service A consumers (business or commercial electricity consumers whose contracted capacity or load does not exceed 5 kW), along with flat streetlight accounts, will receive the highest refund rates, which is at P0.1733 per kWh and at P0.1764 per kWh, respectively.
The ERC said that the refund is provisional and is based on its initial evaluation, and the amount remains subject to review and verification in its final evaluation of the application, which has been set for hearing on Oct.16-23, 2026, and any adjustment will be made accordingly.
According to the commission, this development is the last of the lapsed period covered by its confirmation process as it has approved Meralco’s rate reset with the start of the distribution utility’s First Regulatory Period on July 1, 2026.
The ERC said that confirmation process for lapsed periods, it regularly checks whether the distribution rates they actually charged customers match what it was allowed to collect, based on its real revenues and electricity sales. This process uses the actual weighted average tariff.
ERC chairman and CEO Saturnino Juan said the process ensures that consumers are charged fairly, neither more nor less than what is permitted under the ERC’s regulation.
“When Meralco collects more than it is entitled to, we will make sure it is returned, and that it is returned quickly. By shortening the refund period to six months, we are giving consumers faster relief at a time when electricity prices remain elevated,” Juan said.
ED PAOLO SALTING
