More than eight million customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are expected to benefit from a P9.5 billion refund ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Malacañang said on Monday.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the refund is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s efforts to ease financial burden on Filipino families.

“Tinatayang aabot sa higit eight million customers ng kumpanya ang inaasahan na makikinabang sa nasabing refund,” Castro added.

According to Castro, based on a decision issued on July 31, the ERC directed Meralco to refund an equivalent rate of P0.3448 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) within a period of six months.

“Makakaasa ang mga residential customers ng Meralco na makakatanggap sila ng refund rate na PhP0.5861 per kWh,” she added.

Castro explained that a customer consuming 200 kWh per month could receive a refund of more than P100.

According to ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Francis Saturnino Juan, the refund will be implemented beginning in the next billing cycle and must be clearly reflected in consumers’ electricity bills, said Castro.

“Malinaw ang hangarin ng Pangulo: Ibalik sa taumbayan ang kanilang pinagpaguran. Kada piso na matitipid ay malaking tulong sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” the Palace official said. Presidential News Desk