Tovic Salvador

The inauguration of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Mariveles-Hermosa-San Jose 500kV transmission line in Barangay Balsik, Hermosa, Bataan on July 12, 2024. The 8,000 MegaWatt (MW)-line is more than capable of transmitting the 2,086MW power from new plants in the area.
Niño Jesus Orbeta, PPA pool

Article (news)

Alvin Elchico

ABS-CBN News

MANILA— Power consumers will face higher electricity rates in the Visayas and Mindanao regions as these areas’ power grids continue to grapple with supply shortages, the Department of Energy said on Monday.Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said consumers are likely to bear the brunt of higher electricity prices in the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months as both power grids are plagued with yellow and red alerts in recent weeks.As of Monday, August 17, the National Grid Corp of the Philippines again placed Visayas power grid under Red Alert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Yellow Alert from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.A red alert means there isn’t enough power available to the grid and power interruptions will happen, while a yellow alert means that there is not enough power to cover the grid’s contingency needs and that rolling brownouts can be expected.Garin acknowledges the spike in line rentals as electric cooperatives and private distribution utilities contract suppliers that are far more expensive than existing power plants, including in the long list of facilities that are on unscheduled shutdown.According to Garin, there are reforms being started in the power generation sector, but these are long-term, while the impact of the current series of red and yellow alerts will already be felt in September.&quot;There are some policies that we are issuing to correct all those small factors that contribute sa malaking increase, so line rental, genco performance, pati transmission kailangang ayusin.. we are actually doing a masterplan for Visayas...but it&#x27;s a long term plan,&quot; said Garin.Garin said the September rate will already reflect the issues in the Visayas and Mindanao. <div>NO LONGER HIGHEST IN SOUTHEAST ASIA?</div>But, there&#x27;s a ray of good news as Energy Usec Mario Marasigan said that for the month of July, the average residential power rates were no longer the highest in Southeast Asia.The Philippines had the highest residential power rate in ASEAN last June 2026.But Marasigan said the July 2026 rate is not yet officially out, so the figures remain unknown.&quot;Mas malaki ang posibilidad na mas mataas na ang Singapore sa household.. for July,&quot; he said.

Consumers will face higher electricity rates in the Visayas and Mindanao regions as these areas’ power grids continue to grapple with supply shortages, the DOE said.

Consumers will face higher electricity rates in the Visayas and Mindanao regions as these areas’ power grids continue to grapple with supply shortages, the DOE said.

Higher VisMin power rates seen in September amid Red, Yellow alerts

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Higher VisMin power rates seen in September amid Red, Yellow alerts

Alvin Elchico,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 04:22 PM PHT

Read More:

power rate

DOE

NGCP

power grid

red alert

yellow alert

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