By Jade Chiu
Davao Light’s overall residential electricity rate increased by P1.5625 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this September 2025, bringing the rate up to PHP10.6407/kWh from PHP9.0782/kWh in the previous month. Households using essential appliances and consuming 200 kWh will experience approximately a PHP312.50 increase in their bills received from September 11 to October 10.
This adjustment is attributed to the increase in power supply prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) following power plant outages, which is among the factors that led to the yellow alerts issued by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) last month. Increases in generation costs, particularly from the spot market, where Davao Light sources part of its power requirement, directly affect the overall rate charged to consumers.
While the power distribution utility strives to keep electricity costs reasonable, monthly rates are still influenced by fuel prices, market conditions, and customers’ consumption patterns.
With this, Davao Light encourages customers to proactively monitor their energy consumption habits at home to help manage monthly bills and avoid bill shock. Davao Light shares the following steps to estimate daily or monthly energy usage for each appliance, a key step in managing electricity bills.
1. Find the Appliance Wattage. Look for the Wattage Rating in Watts or W, which refers to the power the appliance consumes.
2. Estimate Daily Use. Determine the average number of hours the household uses an appliance per day.
3. Determine Days Used. Determine the number of days the household uses an appliance in a month.
4. Find the Rate. Check the average monthly rates at www.davaolight.com and go to Customer Services and click on FAQs & Rates. Find the current rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
5. Calculate the Kilowatt-Hours (kWh). Use this formula to calculate the energy consumption for a single appliance: (Wattage / 1000) x Hours Used x Days = Total kWh
6. Estimate the Cost. To find the approximate cost, multiply the total kWh by the rate.
For an air conditioner, for example, a 1,200W unit used for 4 hours a day for 30 days would be: (1200 / 1000) x 4 x 30 = 144 kWh. Based on this month’s residential rate, the approximate cost is P1,532.26.
Through this method, households can create a clear picture of their energy usage and identify which appliances contribute the most to their bill. This helps make informed choices about where to adjust and conserve energy.
Now in its 79th year of empowering the evolution of its communities, Davao Light provides solutions that pave the way for the development of its franchise area, covering the cities of Davao, Panabo, and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali, and Sto. Tomas. Soon, the AboitizPower subsidiary will expand its services to the entire provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro.
