MANILA -- Malacañang on Sunday assured that electricity rates will go down next month despite recent adjustment.

A 44-centavo per kilowatt hour increase in its generation charge was implemented by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) this month due to higher prices of wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).

But Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda noted that the increase is just temporary.

Based on his conversation with Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Lacierda said power rates will go down upon completion of the rehabilitation of the San Jose power plant.

"Hopefully next month, we will have lower prices of electricity," Lacierda said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)