The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has sought the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) approval to raise pass-through charges on customers in Trece Martires City, Cavite. Meralco plans to collect the local franchise tax from its customers at the rate of 82.5 per cent of 1 per cent of the gross annual receipts, compared to the previous 75 per cent. This hike could translate into an additional charge of PhP 2 for households with an average power consumption of 200 kWh.