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Understanding your Meralco bill

See what makes up your bill, how much you used, and what you need to pay.

Front of the bill

Find the details you need first

Select a marker on the bill or choose a numbered explanation.

  1. Electric bill summary

    Start here for a quick view of the account, billing period, meter reading, actual consumption, rate, payment details, and bill-computation summary shown on the sample.

  2. Payment information

    The amount due and due date are grouped and emphasized so you can find the immediate payment details quickly. Check any account-specific notice before paying.

  3. Customer Account Number (CAN)

    This identifies the customer account. Use the CAN when paying through supported channels or asking Meralco about the account. One account may cover more than one electric service.

  4. Bill computation summary

    This brings together any remaining balance, current-period charges, installment amounts already due, applied credits or adjustments, and the resulting total amount due.

  5. Distribution-related charges

    This line is part of the bill breakdown for delivering electricity through Meralco’s distribution network and serving customers. It is not the same as the total electricity bill.

  6. Monthly consumption tracker

    Compare the current billing period with earlier months. Check the billing days and seasonal conditions before drawing conclusions about a change.

  7. Bill announcement

    Read the bill notice for current customer information, program notices, policy updates, safety reminders, or account-specific messages.

  8. Typical consumption tracker

    Review average monthly and daily use in kWh and the estimated daily peso cost to understand the normal pattern shown on the sample.

  9. Environmental impact

    This translates the sample consumption into an estimated greenhouse-gas equivalent and an energy-efficiency prompt. Treat it as an estimate, not a meter measurement.

  10. CAN QR code or barcode

    On supported channels, scanning can enter the CAN without typing it. Confirm the account details and amount before completing a payment.

  11. Contact information

    Use the official channels shown on the current bill for account inquiries, service requests, and billing concerns.

Front page of the June 2026 Meralco sample bill used for the annotated guide.
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Annotated bill specimen. The numbered markers correspond to the explanations in this section.

Bill detail

Electric bill summary

Start here for a quick view of the account, billing period, meter reading, actual consumption, rate, payment details, and bill-computation summary shown on the sample.

Back of the bill

See how the total was computed

Select a marker on the bill or choose a numbered explanation.

  1. What you’ve paid

    Review recent payments and credits associated with the service, including the billing period, posting date, payment channel, and amount when those fields are present.

  2. What remains unpaid

    See earlier unpaid bills, their billing periods and due dates, the total still unpaid, and any account-specific status or remarks shown on the bill.

  3. Bill breakdown

    This is the detailed computation behind the current bill. Use it to see each rate component, billed quantity or basis, rate, and amount.

  4. Service ID Number

    This uniquely identifies the electric service covered by the detailed bill. Use it with the CAN when the secure support process asks for both.

  5. Metering information

    Check the meter number, readings, reading dates, multiplier or other billing determinant when applicable, and the resulting consumption.

  6. Total energy amount

    This is the peso amount associated with the electricity used during the current billing period before or as combined with the other bill components shown.

  7. Rate components

    Review generation, transmission, system loss, distribution-related, subsidy, tax, universal, renewable-energy, and other approved components that apply to the account.

  8. Additional bill information

    Look here for account-specific adjustments, installment details, applied credits, refunds or collections, and other information needed to understand the computation.

  9. Authorized payment-partner information

    Use the QR code or link only to identify Meralco’s currently authorized payment partners. Check that the destination uses an official Meralco domain before proceeding.

Back page of the June 2026 Meralco sample bill used for the annotated guide.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Annotated bill specimen. The numbered markers correspond to the explanations in this section.

Bill detail

What you’ve paid

Review recent payments and credits associated with the service, including the billing period, posting date, payment channel, and amount when those fields are present.

Updated as of May 1, 2026

Breakdown of Charges

Here’s a guide to help you understand where your payment goes and what each charge is for. Your electricity bill reflects the full journey of power—from generation to delivery to your home.

All the components of your bill are based on the law and the rules and regulations of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
 

2025 average bill charges: generation 64%, distribution 12%, other charges 11%, transmission 8%, system loss 5%.

Based on 2025 average

Only about 12% of your bill goes to Meralco

This covers the cost of:

  • Building and maintaining the distribution network
  • Delivering electricity safely and reliably
  • Customer service, metering, and billing

Meralco has not increased its charges since 2015.

The remaining 88% are pass-through charges that do not go to Meralco. Meralco only acts as the collecting agent and does not earn from them.

64%: Generation Charge

The largest portion of your bill which covers the cost of power we purchase from our suppliers: 

  • Independent Power Producers / Power producers with Power Supply Agreements with Meralco
  • Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)
  • Exported energy from Net Metering and Distributed Energy Resource program participants 
    • Because this makes up for a large portion of the bill, the ERC ensures that Meralco sources electricity at the lowest possible cost.

11%: Other Charges

These are government-mandated costs, which include:

  • Government Taxes 
    This cover applicable taxes on electricity services:
    • Value Added Tax and Energy Tax (for residential customers consuming over 650 kWh), which go to the national government 
    • Real Property Tax and Local Franchise Tax, which go to Local Government Units
  • Lifeline Subsidy 
    • This is used to provide bill discount to 4Ps beneficiaries and certified-marginalized customers consuming 100 kWh and below. This is remitted to Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management.
  • Senior Citizen Subsidy 
    • This is used to provide bill discount to senior citizens consuming 100 kWh and below, as well as DSWD-accredited institutions for the elderly. 
  • Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FiT-All)
    • This supports the development of renewable energy projects under the Feed-in Tariff Program. It is set annually by the ERC and is remitted to the National Transmission Corporation. 
  • Green Energy Auction allowance (GEA-All) 
    • This funds the development of renewable energy projects like solar, wind, and hydro. It supports the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), a government program where renewable energy projects are selected through competitive bidding to ensure the lowest possible cost for customers. This is remitted to the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo).
  • Universal Charges 
    This covers the following and is remitted to PSALM (Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management):
    • Missionary Electrification: funds electricity service in remote or off-grid communities that are not connected to the national grid transmission system, and are difficult or costly to serve
    • Environmental Charge: a fixed charge of P0.0025/kWh, used for watershed rehabilitation and management and is managed by the National Power Corporation
    • NPC stranded debts cover the unpaid financial obligations of the NPC

8%: Transmission Charge

This covers the cost of using transmission lines to deliver electricity from power plants to Meralco’s system, as well as ancillary services that help ensure the stability and reliability of the power grid. This is remitted to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

5%: System Loss Charge

This is part of the generation and transmission costs paid to generation companies and NGCP. This accounts for electricity lost due to technical and non-technical factors. The ERC has set a system loss cap, and any losses beyond this limit cannot be passed on to customers.

Why your bill can change

  1. Electricity use changed

    Weather, occupancy, appliance use, and operating hours can increase or reduce consumption.

  2. The billing period has a different number of days

    Compare daily consumption as well as the total kilowatt-hours when billing periods differ.

  3. Rates or pass-through charges changed

    Generation, transmission, taxes, and other approved charges can change by period.

  4. A meter reading or adjustment was posted

    Estimated readings, corrections, credits, or prior-period adjustments can affect the total.

  5. A prior balance or payment changed

    Check previous balances, payment posting dates, and account credits.
A residential customer reviews an electricity bill at home.

Understanding your meter

Get to know your electric meter, read your consumption, and find the details on your bill.

Learn More

What happens to your bill deposit

Your bill deposit is a payment guarantee based on estimated electricity use when service begins. It earns interest under ERC rules, and Meralco reviews whether it remains adequate around the anniversary of your service contract.

Use the left and right arrow keys while the carousel is focused to browse the outcomes.

  • More than 10% above your average bill

    You receive a refund

    The excess bill deposit is refunded together with the applicable interest credited during the annual review.

    Meralco compares the deposit plus accumulated interest with the average monthly bills for the previous 12 months. When the deposit is more than 10% higher, the excess is applied as a refund through the bill.

    The adjustment is communicated by letter or in the Applied Credits/Other Charges area of the electric bill.

    Example

    • Bill deposit and interest: ₱1,500.00
    • Less: Average monthly bill (Sep 2019 – Aug 2020): ₱1,000.00
    • Difference: ₱500.00
    • Refund: ₱500.00

  • Within 10% of your average bill

    Your deposit stays the same

    No refund or additional collection is made when the deposit remains within the allowed range.

    When the difference between the deposit plus interest and the 12-month average bill stays within 10%, the annual review does not create a refund or an additional collection.

    The deposit remains subject to the annual review around the service-contract anniversary.

    Example

    • Total bill deposit and interest: ₱1,050.00
    • Average monthly bill (Sep 2019 – Aug 2020): ₱1,000.00
    • Difference: ₱50.00
    • Result: No refund or collection

  • More than 10% below your average bill

    An additional deposit is collected

    The difference is collected in 12 monthly installments beginning after the annual review.

    When the deposit plus interest is more than 10% below the 12-month average bill, Meralco collects the shortfall as an additional deposit.

    The additional amount is spread across 12 monthly installments, and the adjustment is communicated through a letter or the electric bill.

    Example

    • Total bill deposit and interest: ₱800.00
    • Less: Average monthly bill (Sep 2019 – Aug 2020): ₱1,000.00
    • Difference: ₱200.00
    • Collection: ₱200.00, in 12 monthly installments
A residential customer reviews an electricity bill at home.

Some customers may receive an earlier refund

From May 2026, qualified residential customers may receive their bill deposit and applicable interest automatically as a credit on their bill. Current Meralco guidance includes customers receiving the full Lifeline subsidy and customers who consistently paid on or before the due date for the previous 24 months.

Check early refund eligibility

Bill deposit outcome

More than 10% above your average bill

You receive a refund

The excess bill deposit is refunded together with the applicable interest credited during the annual review.

Meralco compares the deposit plus accumulated interest with the average monthly bills for the previous 12 months. When the deposit is more than 10% higher, the excess is applied as a refund through the bill.

The adjustment is communicated by letter or in the Applied Credits/Other Charges area of the electric bill.

Example

  • Bill deposit and interest: ₱1,500.00
  • Less: Average monthly bill (Sep 2019 – Aug 2020): ₱1,000.00
  • Difference: ₱500.00
  • Refund: ₱500.00

Who will be required to pay a bill deposit?

A bill deposit will be required from the following:

  • New customers applying for electric service;
  • Existing customers applying for transfer of service;
  • Existing customers applying for an increase in load/ capacity;
  • Existing customers with disconnected services applying for a reconnection, and who were previously not subjected to bill deposit;
  • Existing customers whose actual average monthly consumption for the past twelve (12) months increased by more than 10% of the initial or existing bill deposit;
  • Existing customers who have previously availed of the early refund of bill deposit due to good credit rating and who later default in payment of their monthly bill/s.

Legal references

The applicable rules governing bill deposits can be found in the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers and Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR). Below are some download links for your reference:

Refunds and discounts

Bill questions

  1. Why is my bill higher this month?

    Compare consumption, billing days, current rates, meter readings, adjustments, prior balances, and posted payments. More than one factor may have changed.

  2. Where can I find my meter readings?

    Look for the current and previous readings, meter information, and the consumption calculated for the billing period.

  3. Does Meralco keep every charge on the bill?

    No. Several bill items are pass-through, tax, or universal charges collected for generators, the transmission system, government, or other regulated purposes.

  4. How do I ask about a specific bill?

    Have the account number and bill ready, then use My Meralco or an official Meralco support channel.
    Open My Meralco

Need further assistance?

Continue to My Meralco Customer Service for account and service support.

Go to My Meralco Customer Service
Electricity bill information shown beside a calculator and household items.

Review and manage your bill in My Meralco

Use the current bill and your account details when checking charges, payments, due dates, or a meter-reading concern.

Continue to My Meralco

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