Meralco Hikes November Rates by ₱0.4895 per kWh — Here’s How Much More You’ll Pay
MERALCO RATE HIKE NOVEMBER 2026 – Expect a higher electricity bill this month. The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced on Friday, November 13, 2026 an upward adjustment of ₱0.4895 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in its November rate, bringing the overall rate for a typical household to ₱15.5510 per kWh, up from ₱15.0615 per kWh in October.
For a residential customer consuming 200 kWh a month, the adjustment means an increase of around ₱98 in the total bill, according to the Meralco advisory published by Rappler and reported by The Manila Times and the Philippine News Agency.
Meralco November 2026 Rate at a Glance
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| October 2026 overall rate (typical household) | ₱15.0615 per kWh |
| November 2026 overall rate (typical household) | ₱15.5510 per kWh |
| Net increase | ₱0.4895 per kWh |
| Estimated bill increase for 200 kWh | around ₱98 |
Why Is Your Electric Bill Going Up?
Based on Meralco’s breakdown, these are the main reasons behind the November increase:
- Higher generation charge – Up by ₱0.4344 per kWh, mainly because power suppliers’ costs remain affected by the weaker peso and the crisis in the Middle East.
- First Gas/Prime CoreGen – Charges rose by ₱2.9241 per kWh due to the quarterly repricing of Malampaya natural gas and pricier liquefied natural gas (LNG). Its LNG use climbed from 24% to 44% to make up for limited Malampaya supply, while around 86% of its costs are in US dollars.
- WESM spot market – Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market went up by ₱4.3946 per kWh as average Luzon demand rose by around 769 MW amid warmer October temperatures, which Meralco said were even warmer than in October 2024, the last El Niño event.
- Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) – This was the only generation source that went down, by ₱0.2769 per kWh, due to higher average PSA dispatch.
- Taxes and other pass-through charges – Net increase of ₱0.2165 per kWh, mainly from higher taxes because less indigenous natural gas, which is VAT-exempt, was used.
For this billing period, PSAs supplied around 73% of Meralco’s requirements, First Gas/Prime CoreGen around 24% and WESM around 3%.
Transmission charges went up by ₱0.1721 per kWh after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved a higher Maximum Allowable Revenue for the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). However, this was largely offset by a ₱0.1641 per kWh cut in the ancillary service charge after the Reserve Market was suspended starting October 14, so NGCP charges rose by only ₱0.0080 per kWh overall.
New Distribution Rates and AWAT Refund
November bills also reflect the new distribution tariffs approved by the ERC for Meralco’s First Regulatory Period (1RP). For residential customers using 200 kWh, distribution, supply and metering charges go up slightly by ₱0.0096 per kWh, while the regulatory reset fee is now set to zero from the previous ₱0.0023 per kWh.
To temper the increase, Meralco is starting another Actual Weighted Average Tariff (AWAT) refund this month. This ERC-approved refund is equivalent to a ₱0.1733 per kWh reduction for residential customers and will run for six months or until the full amount is returned. It covers the lapsed period from January to June 2026, on top of two ongoing AWAT refunds worth a total of ₱1.0139 per kWh covering July 2022 to December 2025.
Reminder: Extended Payment Deadlines for Unpaid Bills
Following an ERC directive, Meralco reminded customers of the extended due dates for unpaid bills to avoid disconnection:
- May to July 2026 bills – Pay on or before November 26, 2026.
- August to October 2026 bills – Pay on or before December 26, 2026.
- 200 kWh and below – The suspension of disconnection activities is extended until December, provided all unpaid May to July 2026 bills are settled by November 26.
- Above 200 kWh – Customers are advised to settle outstanding balances within the prescribed period to avoid disconnection.
Payments can be made through the My Meralco app or any authorized payment partner. Customers who need help or a flexible payment arrangement may message Meralco on Facebook, email [email protected], call the Meralco Hotline 16211, or visit the nearest Meralco Business Center. During the ASEAN Summit holidays from November 16 to 18, all Meralco Business Centers will stay open from 7 AM to 5 PM with a skeletal workforce.
How much is your Meralco bill this month? You may also read: ASEAN Summit Holiday Pay 2026 — DOLE Pay Rules for November 16 to 18 Special Non-Working Days in Metro Manila.
