Meralco: Ruby damage minimal in NCR; power rates for December billing down

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila Electric Co. reported “minimal outages” in its franchise area, which covers Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, and announced a downward adjustment in electricity charges this month.

Meralco said a few customers were affected in parts of Batangas which Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit, now a tropical depression) passed during the night.

The company said its preparations helped avert damage to its facilities and prevent service interruptions despite the strong winds and rain that affected parts of its franchise area. Among others, Meralco cited inspections of its facilities, “full alert” operations of linemen and call center agents, for quick responses to customers’ typhoon-related concerns.

As for power rates, Meralco said overall rates will go down by P0.19 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in December for a typical household consuming 200 kWh. The overall decrease as mainly attributed to a P0.17 per kWh decline in the generation charge, which now stands at P4.94 per kWh.

For a typical customer consuming 200 kWh, that would mean P38 less in the electricity bill for December, Meralco said.

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