Bohol — Thousands of families and small business owners across the province received welcome news on Monday, May 25, 2026, as Bohol Light Company, Inc. officially confirmed a sharp decrease in electricity rates for the current month. The new rate schedule shows a reduction of more than ₱2.00 per kilowatt-hour compared to the previous month, offering a vital financial cushion during the high-heat summer weeks. This pricing adjustment was made possible by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which ordered the temporary suspension of the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-ALL) collection fee. By lowering these mandatory utility costs, the company is directly helping residents manage the high costs of cooling their homes during the current extreme weather.
Managing the Balance Between Green Energy Progress and Immediate Consumer Welfare
The GEA-ALL fee is a standardized nationwide levy meant to provide the capital necessary for building new solar and wind energy infrastructure throughout the country. While the island is firmly committed to moving toward cleaner energy, the temporary pause was essential to keep household budgets from breaking under the pressure of intense summer consumption. Grid operators are using this collection holiday to conduct critical maintenance on the island’s sub-transmission lines, ensuring that the local network remains robust against sudden surges. This pragmatic policy approach proves that the state can successfully balance long-term sustainable development with the immediate, basic needs of its citizens.
