ERC readies the Competition Rules and Complaints Procedures
“The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) drafted the Competition Rules and Complaint Procedures for final invaluable comments of the industry participants,” Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge Alejandro Z. Barin said. These draft rules and procedures were results of a series of public consultations held in 2004.
The Competition Rules is intended to ensure and promote competition, encourage market development and customer choice, discourage and penalize anti-competitive or discriminatory behavior and the abuse of market power, thus, protecting public interest.
On the other hand, the Complaint Procedures prescribes the manner in which ERC will investigate possible violations of the Competition Rules. This aims to ensure that adjudication proceedings before the ERC will be expeditiously conducted in accordance with the requirements of due process and with as little formality and technicality as possible.
The Competition Rules and Complaint Procedures are being promulgated in line with Section 45 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and Rule 11, Sections 8 and 7(e) of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), respectively.
Comments on the draft rules will be accepted on or before March 3, 2006. Hard copies of the comments may be submitted to the ERC Main Office addressed to Market Operations Service (MOS), 12th Floor Pacific Center Bldg., San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, while comments in soft copies may be sent through spotmarket@erc.gov.ph or dtlayugan@erc.gov.ph.
“The Competition Rules and Complaint Procedures to be promulgated by ERC are vital in ensuring a level playing field within the competitive markets geared towards the success of electricity industry transformation,” OIC Barin concluded.
March 1 , 2006