The Energy Regulatory Commission has outlined a new policy agenda after reporting reforms over the past 11 months in electricity pricing, consumer protection, retail competition and clean energy regulation.
ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan presented the agency’s accomplishments during a July 9 press briefing with Commissioners Floresinda Baldo-Digal, Marko Romeo Fuentes, Amante Liberato and Paris Real.
Among the measures cited were the reset of distribution wheeling rates, revisions to net-metering rules and the expansion of Retail Competition and Open Access.
The ERC lowered the eligibility threshold for retail electricity choice to 100 kilowatts, allowing more businesses to select their power suppliers.
It also implemented the National Lifeline Program, deferred selected rate adjustments and imposed temporary moratoriums on disconnections during the recent energy emergency.
The Commission said it had recorded more net-metering registrations, approved additional power supply agreements and capital expenditure projects, and facilitated billions of pesos in consumer refunds.
For its next regulatory agenda, the ERC plans to issue draft rules for renewable energy development in off-grid areas and revise guidelines for the Competitive Selection Process.
It will also update Performance-Based Regulation entry groups and introduce reforms under the 2026 Philippine Grid Code.
The proposed measures are intended to improve competition, grid reliability and consumer safeguards in the electricity sector.
Juan said the Commission would continue efforts to speed up regulatory decisions and strengthen transparency and accountability.