Electricity rates across all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in May, mainly due to lower prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
The Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (Noceco), which serves southern Negros from Pulupandan to Hinoba-an, announced the most significant decrease in rates. Noceco reduced its rate by PHP3.58 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), bringing the rate down to PHP12.02 per kWh from PHP15.61 per kWh in April.
The cooperative attributed the decrease to a lower generation charge and a significant drop in the cost of power sourced from the WESM.
This adjustment follows a period of criticism from consumers over consistently high electricity rates. Since last year, residents expressed frustration over rising bills despite promises of stable pricing.
In northern Negros, the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) announced a decrease of PHP1.7807 per kWh, lowering its rate to PHP13.28 per kWh from PHP15.07 per kWh in April.
Noneco also attributed the drop to lower WESM prices, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and reduced fuel costs from power suppliers. Noneco serves customers from E.B. Magalona to San Carlos City.
Meanwhile, in central Negros, the Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) reported a decrease of PHP0.66 per kWh, bringing its rate to PHP11.69 per kWh from PHP12.35 per kWh in April.
Just like two other distribution utilities in the province, the company credited the drop to a significant reduction in the WESM price, which fell from PHP6.68 per kWh in April to PHP5.42 per kWh in May.
Negros Power also benefited from a decrease in its emergency power supply agreement rate with Palm Concepcion Power Corporation.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.