BUSINESS
Advocates Philippines
Meralco Clears The Air On 'Extra' Charges In Power Bills
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MANILA, Philippines — Amid growing confusion online, Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has stepped in to clarify the charges appearing on electricity bills, assuring customers that these are not hidden or unauthorized fees.
The power distributor said recent claims on social media suggesting “extra” charges are misleading, emphasizing that every item reflected in a customer’s bill is regulated and approved.
“Meralco, just like other electricity distributors across the country, operate under strict regulatory oversight that ensures all charges are lawful, transparent, and properly vetted. Every line item in your electricity bill has been approved before they are reflected and implemented,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
According to the company, electricity bills are designed to be transparent, with a detailed breakdown showing where payments go. These include public policy charges such as subsidies for senior citizens and low-income households, as well as fees that support government programs and renewable energy initiatives.
Meralco clarified that these charges—like the Universal Charge, Feed-in Tariff Allowance, and Green Energy Auction Allowance—are mandated by law and are implemented across all distribution utilities nationwide, not just by the company.
“These mandated charges are remitted to the government through the relevant agencies. To reiterate, these are not new charges and they are not exclusive to Meralco as these are implemented by all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in the country,” Zaldarriaga said.
The company also stressed that it does not earn from these fees, noting that costs such as generation, transmission, and taxes are passed directly to consumers without markup.
“We act solely as collection agents for these costs. These do not form part of our revenues in any way,” Zaldarriaga emphasized. “Again, we are highly regulated, with all charges in electricity bills subject to rigorous review and regulatory clearance prior to implementation.”
Meralco added that its own distribution charge has remained unchanged since it was reduced in 2022.
As misinformation continues to spread online, the company said it will strengthen its efforts to provide clear and accurate information to the public.
“We will not cease our efforts to empower consumers with the right information. We put prime importance to transparency and accountability and I would like to assure our customers that they can reach out to us any time through our various customer touch points,” Zaldarriaga concluded.
Customers with concerns are encouraged to use the My Meralco app, contact the company through its official social media pages, or call its hotline for assistance.
The power distributor said recent claims on social media suggesting “extra” charges are misleading, emphasizing that every item reflected in a customer’s bill is regulated and approved.
“Meralco, just like other electricity distributors across the country, operate under strict regulatory oversight that ensures all charges are lawful, transparent, and properly vetted. Every line item in your electricity bill has been approved before they are reflected and implemented,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.
According to the company, electricity bills are designed to be transparent, with a detailed breakdown showing where payments go. These include public policy charges such as subsidies for senior citizens and low-income households, as well as fees that support government programs and renewable energy initiatives.
Meralco clarified that these charges—like the Universal Charge, Feed-in Tariff Allowance, and Green Energy Auction Allowance—are mandated by law and are implemented across all distribution utilities nationwide, not just by the company.
“These mandated charges are remitted to the government through the relevant agencies. To reiterate, these are not new charges and they are not exclusive to Meralco as these are implemented by all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives in the country,” Zaldarriaga said.
The company also stressed that it does not earn from these fees, noting that costs such as generation, transmission, and taxes are passed directly to consumers without markup.
“We act solely as collection agents for these costs. These do not form part of our revenues in any way,” Zaldarriaga emphasized. “Again, we are highly regulated, with all charges in electricity bills subject to rigorous review and regulatory clearance prior to implementation.”
Meralco added that its own distribution charge has remained unchanged since it was reduced in 2022.
As misinformation continues to spread online, the company said it will strengthen its efforts to provide clear and accurate information to the public.
“We will not cease our efforts to empower consumers with the right information. We put prime importance to transparency and accountability and I would like to assure our customers that they can reach out to us any time through our various customer touch points,” Zaldarriaga concluded.
Customers with concerns are encouraged to use the My Meralco app, contact the company through its official social media pages, or call its hotline for assistance.
Apr 27, 2026
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