ERC invites public comments on proposed DSOAR amendments
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is inviting comments on the proposed amendments on the DSOAR (Distribution Services and Open Access Rules) it promulgated on 01 February 2006. Interested parties are advised to submit their comments, both in hard and soft copies, on or before 15 November 2007 using the prescribed format available at the ERC website (www.erc.gov.ph).
The ERC is proposing modifications to harmonize the DSOAR with ERC issuances such as the Philippine Grid Code (PGC) and Philippine Distribution Code (PDC), Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers, Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) Rules; other government agencies’ issuances, for example, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) interest rate policy; and to ensure that the provisions of other laws and more particularly, the Philippine Constitution, are honored.
“The restructuring of the electric power industry is emerging and evolving such that there is a need to update or amend certain rules to make them attuned to relevant laws and promulgations,” ERC Chairman and CEO Rodolfo B. Albano Jr. said. “The amendments will also ensure the smooth transition to a competitive regime whereby electricity consumers will have the power to choose their electricity supplier/provider,” Chairman Albano added.
The DSOAR, which was embodied under ERC Resolution No. 1, Series of 2006, provides for the rules, terms, and conditions pertaining to Distribution Connection Assets and Services, Service to the Captive Market, Supplier of Last Resort Service to the Contestable Market, Unbundled Distribution Wheeling Service, and Guidelines for Establishing Regulated Service Rates. Its promulgation superseded the then ERB’s (Energy Regulatory Board) Standard Rules and Regulations Governing the Operation of Electrical Power Services and ERB Resolution No. 95-21 and complemented the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers.
“Let
us all join hands to make the restructuring of the electric power industry a
successful and vibrant one through everyone’s active participation in
the ERC’s formulation of policies and procedures. With everyone’s
help, the ERC’s goal of becoming Asia’s benchmark for excellence
in power regulation is not far-fetched,” Chairman Albano concluded.
October 18, 2007