ERC: P21.8 billion refund to Meralco customers to reflect in bill starting July

FILE PHOTO: Meralco logo. INQUIRER/Edwin Bacasmas

MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered Manila Electric Co (Meralco) to reflect refunds totaling P21.8 billion to billing statements of its customers starting July.

ERC Chair Agnes Devanadera said this Thursday after the commission directed Meralco to reimburse residential customers the amount, which is equivalent to 87 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

READ: ERC orders Meralco to refund P21.8 billion

“Itong bagong refund na inaprubahan noong June 16, ina-apply na ito sa bill ngayong July,” she said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(This latest refund approved on June 16 is being applied to the July bill.)

A household that consumes 200 kWh a month will see a P174 refund in their July bill and in the next 11 months, based on the ERC order.

Meralco has the option to implement the refund in installments or in one go within 12 months, the ERC also said.

Devanadera then said the three other refunds ordered by the ERC prior to the P21.8 billion reimbursement are also currently in effect.

Devanadera explained that back in January 2021, the ERC ordered Meralco to refund P13.8 billion to consumers.

Meralco was also ordered to refund P4.8 billion in February this year and another P7.78 billion in March, the ERC official said.

“Yun namang unang tatlo na mga refund din, kautusan ng refund, ‘yan ay ipinapatupad na. So ngayon pa lang, tayo’y nakikinabang na diyan sa refund,” Devanadera said.

(The three prior refunds are already in effect. So right now, consumers are already benefiting from the refunds.)

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