Manila, May 13 -- The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said Tuesday electricity rates in its franchise areas declined by PHP0.7499 per kilowatt hour (kWh) this May.

In a statement Tuesday, Meralco said the reduction brings the overall rate for a typical household to PHP12.2628 from PHP13.0127 per kWh in April.

"For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, they will see a decrease of around PHP150 in their total electricity bill this month. The rate reduction is due to lower generation and transmission charges," Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said.

According to Meralco, the lower rates for this month were due to the decline in generation charges, transmission charges, and other charges.

The gen...