For April-May bill: Veco to raise power rates

CEBU, Philippines — Visayan Electric yesterday announced that their residential customers will see an increase of ?1.14 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in their electricity bills for the April–May billing cycle.

“This brings the overall residential rate to ?11.78/kWh, up from ?10.64/kWh in the previous month,” said VECO in a statement.

It said that for a household consuming 200 kWh, this translates to an estimated increase of ?228 on their monthly bill.

The power distributor explained that the rate adjustment is primarily driven by a rise in electricity prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) --the trading platform where electricity is bought and sold based on supply and demand.

This increase, VECO said, reflects higher demand and tighter supply conditions in the energy market.

VECO said that this their first upward adjustment in electricity prices since December 2024.

“While we understand that any increase in electricity rates can be burdensome, this adjustment is a result of market dynamics beyond our control,” VECO President and Chief Operating Officer Raul Lucero.

The increase in electricity prices coincides with the official declaration of the dry season by PAGASA. It said the heat index in Metro Cebu may reach up to 42°C this April, a level classified as “dangerous” under the agency’s warning system.

Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely at this level, and prolonged exposure could lead to heat stroke.

VECO added that this elevated heat index typically leads to a surge in energy demand as households use air-conditioners, electric fans, and refrigerators more frequently to stay cool and comfortable.

“Comfort comes with a price. As temperatures climb, we naturally turn to cooling appliances to make our homes livable. But we must also be conscious of our energy use to avoid bill shock at the end of the month,” said Lucero.

To help customers manage their electricity bills and make the most of their energy usage during this high-demand period, VECO offered energy-saving tips including setting air conditioners to 25°C or higher and using electric fans to circulate cool air, ensuring rooms are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping, and avoiding frequent opening of refrigerator doors, which lets warm air in and forces it to work harder.

VECO further advised their customers to unplug appliances when not in use, as many devices consume electricity even in standby mode, use natural ventilation when possible especially during early mornings and late evenings when the outside temperature is lower, and do laundry and ironing at night or during off-peak hours to reduce load during peak demand times. — (FREEMAN)