Meralco's February 2025 Rate Increase: What Consumers Need to Know

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Starting February 2025, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has announced an increase in electricity rates by P0.2834 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), raising the overall rate to P12.0262 per kWh from P11.7428 per kWh in January. 

Philstar

Impact on Residential Bills

This adjustment translates to an additional P57 for households consuming 200 kWh, P85 for 300 kWh, P114 for 400 kWh, and P144 for 500 kWh. 

Primary Factors Behind the Increase

Higher Generation Charges: The generation charge, which typically accounts for at least half of a household’s total power bill, rose by P0.3845 per kWh due to increased costs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs). 

Independent Power Producers (IPPs): Charges from IPPs increased by P0.8355 per kWh, attributed to:

Lower average plant dispatch.

A weaker peso, affecting 97% of IPP costs.

Higher liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal fees imposed by First Gas Sta. Rita and Sta. Lorenzo. 

Power Supply Agreements (PSAs): Charges from PSAs climbed by P0.0837 per kWh, influenced by the depreciation of the peso, which affected 61% of PSA costs. 

Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM): A decrease of P0.3005 per kWh in WESM charges partially offset the overall rate increase. This decline was due to lower average and peak demand in the Luzon grid, which helped mitigate the impact of increased power plant outages. 

Other Contributing Factors

Transmission Charges: A slight decrease of P0.0013 per kWh was observed, aided by lower ancillary service charges. 

Taxes and Pass-Through Charges: An increase of P0.1289 per kWh was noted, reflecting the impact of higher Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)-approved universal charges for missionary areas. 

Meralco's Response and Recommendations

Meralco has emphasized the importance of energy efficiency, especially with the upcoming summer months. The company encourages consumers to adopt energy-saving practices to help mitigate the impact of higher electricity rates. 

Looking Ahead

Meralco is also proposing a refund of approximately P19 billion to consumers, following an ERC directive regarding the regulatory reset process. The company plans to implement this refund over 36 months, which could provide some relief to consumers in the future. 

Conclusion

The February 2025 rate increase by Meralco is primarily driven by higher generation charges, particularly from IPPs and PSAs. While this results in increased electricity bills for consumers, understanding the factors behind the hike can help in managing energy consumption more effectively.

The Truth Behind the Party-List System: Who Are They Really Representing?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Party-List System was designed to give marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress. However, according to election watchdog Kontra Daya, more than 50% of the party-list groups running in #Eleksyon2025 do not actually represent marginalized sectors.

A closer look at the 156 accredited party-list groups reveals an alarming truth:

✅ 86 groups (55.13%) have no clear connection to any marginalized community.

✅ 40 are linked to political dynasties.

✅ 25 are tied to big businesses.

✅ 18 have ties to the military or police.

✅ 7 have histories of corruption.

✅ 11 have questionable advocacies.

✅ 9 provided insufficient information in their documents submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

A System Hijacked by the Powerful

What was meant to be an instrument for inclusive governance has become a tool for political elites, business tycoons, and other powerful groups to secure seats in Congress. This issue isn't new—in the 2022 elections, Kontra Daya reported that 70% of party-list groups were controlled by political clans or businesses.

Under Republic Act No. 7941 (the Party-List System Act), these groups are supposed to represent sectors such as:

✅ Workers

✅ Farmers

✅ Fisherfolk

✅ Urban poor

✅ Indigenous communities

✅ Women

✅ Youth

✅ Cooperatives

Yet, many of the current party-list groups have no real connection to these communities.

Does Comelec Conduct Background Checks?

In theory, Comelec requires party-list groups to submit:

📌 Their constitution and by-laws

📌 Platform or government programs

📌 List of officials

📌 Other necessary documents

But is Comelec really doing its job in verifying these groups? The fact that a "WiFi Party-list" exists raises eyebrows—since when did WiFi become a marginalized sector?

Former Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon previously pushed for stricter accreditation rules to ensure that only legitimate representatives of marginalized sectors make it to the ballot. Yet, election after election, questionable groups continue to be accredited.

Why Should Voters Care?

Every election, party-list groups win 20% of the seats in the House of Representatives. That means these groups play a crucial role in shaping the country's laws and policies. If these seats are taken over by traditional politicians and big businesses, it defeats the purpose of the party-list system and denies real marginalized communities the representation they deserve.

What Can We Do?

With #Eleksyon2025 fast approaching, it is the responsibility of voters to:

✅ Research the background of party-list groups before voting.

✅ Support genuine party-list groups that truly represent marginalized communities.

✅ Call on Comelec to enforce stricter screening of party-list candidates.

The party-list system was meant to be a tool for social justice and equal representation. It’s time to take it back from those who are exploiting it for their own interests.

PHLPost Launches 54th UPU International Letter Writing Competition for Young Writers

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is calling on young Filipino students to showcase their creativity and advocacy through the 54th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Letter Writing Competition for Young People. Open to all elementary and high school students aged 9 to 15 from both public and private schools nationwide, this prestigious contest provides young writers with a platform to express their thoughts and ideas while advocating for meaningful global causes.

The winning entry will proudly represent the Philippines in the international competition in Berne, Switzerland, competing against the best young letter writers from 192 UPU member countries.

A Call to Protect Our Oceans

This year’s theme is both timely and urgent:

“Imagine you are the ocean. Write a letter to someone explaining why and how they should take good care of you.”

By assuming the persona of the ocean, participants will creatively convey the significance of marine conservation while raising awareness about environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. This theme encourages young minds to engage in critical thinking, sustainability discussions, and global advocacy, aligning with the principles of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Competition Details & Submission Guidelines

Participants must submit a handwritten letter in English with a maximum of 800 words, adhering to proper letter-writing conventions. Each entry must include:

✔️ Place, date, and recipient’s address

✔️ Opening and closing salutations

✔️ The participant’s signature

✔️ Original, AI-free content

Additionally, students must attach a separate information sheet containing:

Word count of the letter

Full name and complete address

Gender, age, and date of birth

A recent 2x2 colored photo

School name, address, and grade/year level

Contact details (mobile/landline)

Attractive Prizes Await the Best Letters

Top entries will receive cash prizes, medals, plaques, and exclusive Philippine stamp albums:

🏆 1st Prize – ₱25,000

🥈 2nd Prize – ₱20,000

🥉 3rd Prize – ₱15,000

All participants will also receive e-certificates of participation via their registered email.

How to Submit Your Entry

📌 Deadline: March 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Late submissions will not be accepted.)

Submission Process:

📩 Mail your original handwritten letter in a brown envelope via Domestic Express Mail Service (DEMS) ONLY to:

📍 UPU 54th International Letter Writing Competition for Young People 2025

Corporate Communications Division – Office of the Postmaster General

Philippine Postal Corporation

Manila Central Post Office Building, Annex II

Magallanes Drive, Liwasang Bonifacio, Barangay 659-A, Ermita, 1000 Manila

🚨 Important: Entries sent via private couriers such as LBC, DHL, 2Go, or JRS Express will be automatically DISQUALIFIED.

📌 Online Registration:

All participants must also register online and upload a scanned copy of their entry (PDF format) and a high-quality photo (PNG/JPEG format) at:

🔗 https://bit.ly/PHLPost2025LetterWriting

Judging Criteria

A panel of experts will evaluate entries based on the following:

✅ Relevance to Theme – 30%

✅ Imagination & Originality – 20%

✅ Writing Style & Communication – 20%

✅ Vocabulary & Expression – 20%

✅ Youthfulness of Tone – 10%

The final winners will be announced no later than March 21, 2025.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Changemakers

Beyond fostering literacy and creativity, this annual competition nurtures a sense of social responsibility among young Filipinos, empowering them to voice their thoughts on pressing global issues. By participating, students take an active role in environmental advocacy and youth-led sustainability initiatives—ensuring that their words spark awareness and inspire action.

For further inquiries, visit www.phlpost.gov.ph or follow PHLPost on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PHLPost. You may also contact Ms. Rianne Aybil U. Penaredondo, Acting Chief, Corporate Communications Office of the Postmaster General, via corcom@phlpost.gov.ph.

Let your voice be heard—write, inspire, and make a difference!