Customers of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will see a reduction in their bills next month despite a P0.257 per kilowatt hour hike in the power firm's distribution charge.

Meralco said the performance-based regulation rate adjustment, which was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, will be offset by a P0.156 per kilowatt hour reduction in transmission charges, and a P0.10 per kilowatt hour Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment refund.

With this new development, customers get to have a P0.014 per kilowatt hour reduction in their electricity bills this May.

"It's good news to customers," said Meralco President Jose Ping de Jesus.

Meanwhile, Meralco explained the reason behind occasional blackouts in Metro Manila this summer, saying that this is due to the increasing demand in electriciy in the area due to the summer heat.

Despite this, Meralco assured its customers that there is enough power supply for the entire area of Luzon. Report from Alvin Elchico, ABS-CBN News