Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to explain its approval of an increase in electricity rate beginning October this year in a bid to ensure that the hike is justified.

“We need to ensure that any pass-through charges are justified so that any increase in electricity prices does not unduly burden consumers,” Gatchalian said. The ERC had earlier granted the Manila Electric Company’s (Meralco) application for the power distribution company to adjust the rates of power it generates from natural gas-fired power plants.

Based on the ERC resolution, Meralco is authorized to reflect the adjusted rates from the gas-fired power plants of First Gas Power Corp. and FGP Corp. starting in October. The rate hike is expected to amount to 32 to 33 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) monthly for 12 months.

As the vice-chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, Gatchalian said that the ERC

should investigate the price of LNG contracted by the gas plants, which led to the increase.

“Importante na masiguro natin na lahat ng pinapasang bayarin sa mga consumers ay nasa katwiran at hindi pwedeng pasa lang nang pasa ang ERC,” he emphasized.