Lawmaker demands power firms justify rate hikes amid peso weakness

MANILA – Bohol Representative Kristine Tutor has warned power companies not to use the peso's record depreciation against the US dollar as a blanket excuse for indiscriminate electricity rate increases.

In a statement issued Sunday, Tutor emphasized that power distributors must provide clear explanations and substantiation for any additional charges they attribute to peso weakness. The lawmaker's comments underscore growing concerns about potential rate hikes as the Philippine currency continues to weaken against foreign currencies.

The peso's decline to historic lows has raised expectations that power companies may pass increased costs onto consumers, particularly for imported fuel and equipment. However, Tutor stressed that such currency movements alone should not automatically translate to higher bills without proper justification and detailed breakdowns for consumers.

The statement reflects broader legislative scrutiny of utility pricing mechanisms and calls for greater transparency in how external economic factors are reflected in household electricity costs. Power distributors have faced repeated demands from lawmakers and consumer groups to ensure rate adjustments are fair and clearly communicated to the public.