Manila, March 21 -- Average residential power rates of all three distribution utilities in Negros Occidental decreased in March due to lower cost of various charges, separate advisories from the power supply distributors showed.

In a statement on Friday, the Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) announced a rate of PHP13.5982 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for March, lower by PHP0.6707 from February's PHP14.2689 per kWh.

"The lower rate is due to the reduction of PHP0.4875 per kWh in the ancillary service charge of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in the reserve market. The ancillary service is needed to stabilize the power grid," it said.

Fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and fuel cost of suppliers and the decrease in t...