ERC forges strategic alliance for national competitiveness with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Policy Center
Seated
from Left to Right: ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino C. Juan, AIM President
Francis G. Estrada, ERC Chairperson & CEO Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut, AIM-SRF
Finance Director Erissa C. Arce; Standing from Left to Right: USAID-ECAP Chief
of Party Renato T. Goco, ERC Commissioner Alejandro Z. Barin, USAID Development
Assistance Specialist Lily Gutierrez, ERC Commissioner Maria Teresa R. Castañeda,
ERC Commissioner Rauf A. Tan, USAID-OEE Deputy Chief Aurelia Micko
The
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the AIM Policy Center on November 24, 2008 at the Discovery Suites, Ortigas
Center, Pasig City. The MOU aims to strengthen collaboration between the ERC
and AIM in response to common and shared concerns like: (1) energy industry
reform policies; (2) technological changes, particularly renewable energy; (3)
restructured economic opportunities; and (4) global warming and climate change.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Energy
and Clean Air Project (ECAP) carried the crucial role of catalyst in the formation
of the ERC-AIM alliance. The USAID believes that a progressive Philippine economy
will greatly contribute to the Asian region’s stability.
For the past two (2) years, the AIM Policy Center has been providing support
for the institutional competency building and strengthening strategic planning
initiatives of the ERC. The recently held MOU signing formalized the ongoing
collaboration between the two (2) parties in their joint pursuit for national
competitiveness and economic growth.
“The AIM Policy Center carries the vision to be the leading think-tank
in the Asian region especially in competitiveness issues that bear on the challenges
of globalization, rapid technological change and restructured economic opportunities.
We realize that the ERC plays a vital role in meeting these challenges and we
have committed ourselves to be ERC’s ally,” AIM President Francis
G. Estrada said.
“The complex and evolving electricity industry is a vital part of the
Philippine economic development. The ERC should be ready to meet the technological,
managerial and public administrative challenges inherent in the industry reform.
We, therefore, need partners like AIM to assist us as we fulfill our mandates,”
ERC Chairperson and CEO Zenaida G. Cruz-Ducut said. “I am happy that the
ongoing collaboration between the ERC and AIM is now trussed by the MOU and
we look forward for more fruitful partnerships with the Academe in 2009 and
beyond,” she added.
December 4 , 2008