‘Meralco, pwede bang magtira naman kami?’

Instead of debating the issue, many commenters joined in with humor laced with frustration, sharing how electricity bills have become one of their biggest monthly burdens.

“Sige na Meralco???? Parang nabubuhay na lang kame para magbayad ng kuryente,” one commenter wrote.

Another joked, “Balita ko proud daw kayo kasi malaki kinita niyo nung mga nakaraang buwan ah. Gagaleng!”

Others echoed the sentiment that little is left from their salaries after paying utilities.

“Pamasahe lang pauwi at pagpasok para may pambayad sayo. Haha,” one user commented.

“Meralco kahit san 3 months maka survive lang thanks,” the original poster later joked in the comments, referring to the option of paying bills in installments.

Some comments turned sarcastic.

“Para kanino ka bumabangon?” one netizen quipped, while another wrote, “Ang Meralco ang liwanag ng buhay.”

One of the most-reacted comments read, “Di ba kayo mamamatay nyan agad ah? HAHAHAH,” poking fun at the idea of delaying payments.

The online reactions come as many consumers continue to receive higher electricity bills following successive increases in Meralco’s residential rates. The utility’s overall residential rate recently climbed to ₱14.8261 per kilowatt-hour, driven mainly by higher generation charges.

Among the major factors behind the increase are the temporary shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas facility, which forced several power plants to shift to more expensive imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), rising global fuel prices, the weakening peso, and record electricity demand during the extreme summer heat.

Energy experts also note that many households experienced higher power consumption as air conditioners and refrigerators had to work harder to cope with soaring temperatures. Consumers are advised to compare their current kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption with the same month last year to determine whether the increase was caused mainly by higher electricity rates or by greater power usage. Those who suspect a faulty meter may also request a calibration test from Meralco.

While the viral post was written in jest, its popularity reflects a broader public sentiment: for many Filipinos, the monthly electric bill has become more than just another expense—it has become a source of anxiety, forcing families to stretch every peso just to keep the lights on.

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