• CHERYL G. CRUZ
There is a slight increase in the average residential rate of the Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative this billing month of January, at P0.2673 each kilowatt-hour.
This means that member-consumers from the Noceco area coverage of Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Ilog, Candoni, Cauayan, Sipalay, Hinoba-an, and La Carlota City will be paying P14.2216/kWh this month, compared to the P13.9543 rate in December.
Noceco said Jan. 13 that while there was a decrease in the overall generation rate, it was offset by the increase in the transmission charge of P0.4127 per kilowatt hour by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.
This is due to higher ancillary rates from the reserve market, which NGCP uses to balance and stabilize the grid during times of increased demand, it explained.
The value-added tax on transmission also increased by P0.0218/kWh, contributing to the slight hike, Noceco said even as it reminded its member-consumers to remain mindful of their energy consumption to effectively manage their electricity bills.
“By adopting energy-efficient practices, MCOs can contribute to reducing their overall energy costs,” it added. | CGC
