The Philippines recorded the highest power rates in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) last June, as the market relied on more expensive power generation plants to address the tight electricity supply in the Visayas, aggravated by a surge in demand due to the summer heat.

Filipinos, however, could see even higher electricity rates in their succeeding bills as fuel prices are on the rise due to renewed hostilities in the Middle East, according to an energy official.

“We had the highest power rates in the Asean, even more expensive than Singapore’s,” Department of Energy (DOE) says.