P0.58/kWh power rate hike this November

CEBU, Philippines — Residential consumers of Visayan Electric can expect an increase of 58 centavos per kilowatt hour in their electric consumption for the month of November due to pass-through charge to be paid to wholesale electricity spot market (WESM). This brings the current rate to P12.59/kWh from P12.01 in the previous month.

This is the first time in seven months that Visayan Electric will implement an increase in the average rate for residential consumers.

The rate hike is attributed to the high "line rental" rate which occurs when there is congestion along the transmission lines.

“A household with an average consumption of 200kWh will see an increase of at least P116 in their next electricity bill,” the Visayan Electric said.

Amid the increase, Visayan Electric President and Chief Operating Officer Raul C. Lucero reminds consumers to conserve electricity.

“The holiday season is fast approaching and I would like to remind our consumers to be extra mindful of appliances, especially when planning to buy one for the holidays, please consider those that are energy efficient,” Lucero said.

It said that the use of energy efficient appliances is one of the best ways to save up on energy consumption. To check whether an appliance is energy efficient or not, consumers are advised to look for the Energy Guide Label.

“Being mindful of appliance use is a way of managing your electrical bill and avoiding bill shock,” the power utility added.

Meanwhile, for bill payments, Visayan Electric has re-opened its D. Jakosalem Service Center in downtown Cebu City.

The service center, which is considered a full service center, caters to service applications, reconnections, account upgrade or downgrade, enrollment to eBillTXT, MobileAP, Senior Citizen discount, Lifeline Subsidy and bill payments.   It is open on Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.

Visayan Electric is the second largest electric utility in the Philippines. It serves the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga and four municipalities of the greater part of Metro Cebu - Liloan, Consolacion, Minglanilla and San Fernando. —/FPL (FREEMAN)