GOVPH

MANDATE
 MISSION & VISION

OUR MANDATE

Section 38 of the Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the EPIRA, created the ERC as an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body, thereby abolishing the Energy Regulatory Board, created under Executive Order No. 172.

Under Section 43 of the EPIRA, the ERC is tasked to promote competition, encourage market development, ensure customer choice and penalize abuse of market power in the electricity industry. To carry out this undertaking, the ERC shall promulgate necessary rules and regulations, including Competition Rules, and impose fines or penalties for any non-compliance with or breach of the EPIRA, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the EPIRA, and other rules and regulations which it promulgates or administers as well as other laws it is tasked to implement/enforce.

OUR MISSION

  • The ERC is committed to promote free and fair competition and ensure reasonable rates through the exercise of prudent and equitable judgment.
  • The ERC shall provide the industry with ample opportunities to manage risks and challenges through coordination, consultation and enforcement.
  • The ERC shall protect the rights of consumers, balance the interests of all stakeholders, and nurture the personal and professional aspirations of its employees.

OUR VISION

A world class and independent electric power industry regulator that equitably promotes and protects the interests of consumers and other stakeholders, to enable the delivery of long-term benefits that contribute to sustained economic growth and an improved quality of life.

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

  1. Handle consumer complaints and ensure promotion of consumer interests. (Sec. 41, Republic Act No. 9136)
  2. Determine, fix and approve, after due notice and hearing, Transmission and Distribution Wheeling Charges, and Retail Rates through an ERC established and enforced rate-setting methodology that will promote efficiency and non-discrimination. (Sec. 43 (f), Republic Act No. 9136).
  3. Approve applications for, issue, grant, revoke, review and modify Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), Certificate of Compliance (COC), as well as licenses and/or permits of electric industry participants. (Sec. 43 (p), Republic Act No. 9136)
  4. Promulgate and enforce a national Grid Code and a Distribution Code that shall include performance standards and the minimum financial capability standards and other terms and conditions for access to and use of the transmission and distribution facilities. (Sec. 43 (b), Republic Act No. 9136)
  5. Enforce the rules and regulations governing the operations of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and the activities of the WESM operator and other WESM participants, for the purpose of ensuring greater supply and rational pricing of electricity. (Sec. 30, Republic Act No. 9136)
  6. Ensure that the National Power Corporation (NPC) and distribution utilities functionally and structurally unbundle their respective business activities and rates; determine the level of cross subsidies in the existing retail rates until the same is removed and thereafter, ensure that the charges of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) or any distribution utility bear no cross subsidies between grids, within grids, or between classes of customers, except as provided by law. (Sec. 36, Republic Act No. 9136)
  7. Set a Lifeline Rate for the Marginalized End-Users. (Sec. 7. 43 (j), Republic Act No. 9136)
  8. Promulgate rules and regulations prescribing the qualifications of Suppliers which shall include, among other things, their technical and financial capability and credit worthiness. (Sec. 29, Republic Act No. 9136)
  9. Determine the electricity end-users comprising the Contestable and Captive Markets. (Sec. 4, Republic Act No. 9136)
  10. Verify the reasonable amounts and determine the manner and duration for the full recovery of stranded debts and stranded contract costs of NPC and the distribution utilities. (Sec. 32, Republic Act No. 9136)
  11. Act on applications for cost recovery and return on Demand-Side Management (DSM) projects. (Sec. 43 (q), Republic Act No. 9136)
  12. Fix user fees to be charged by TRANSCO for ancillary services to all electric power industry participants or self-generating entities connected to the Grid. (Sec. 43 (i), Republic Act No. 9136)
  13. Review power purchase contracts between the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and NPC, including the distribution utilities. (Sec. 69, Republic Act No. 9136)
  14. Monitor and take measures to discourage/penalize abuse of market power, cartelization and any anti-competitive or discriminatory behavior by any electric power industry participant. (Sec. 43 (j), Republic Act No. 9136)
  15. Review and approve the terms and conditions of service of TRANSCO or any distribution utility and any changes therein. (Sec. 43 (h), Republic Act No. 9136)
  16. Determine, fix and approve a universal charge to be imposed on all electricity end-users. (Sec. 43 (i), Republic Act No. 9136)
  17. Test, calibrate and seal electric watthour meters. (Commonwealth Act No. 146)
  18. Implement pertinent provisions of R.A. No. 7832 or the Anti-Pilferage of Electricity Law. (Sec. 80, Republic Act No. 9136)
  19. Fix and regulate the rate schedule or prices of piped gas to be charged by duly franchised gas companies which distribute gas by means of underground pipe system. (Sec. 3b, Executive Order No. 172 Creating the ERB, as amended by Section 80, Republic Act No. 9136.

TRANSPARENCY SEAL

A pearl buried inside a tightly-shut shell is practically worthless. Government information is a pearl, meant to be shared with the public in order to maximize its inherent value.

The Transparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining out of an open shell, is a symbol of a policy shift towards openness in access to government information. On the one hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos in the civil service to be more open to citizen engagement; on the other, to invite the Filipino citizenry to exercise their right to participate in governance.

This initiative is envisioned as a step in the right direction towards solidifying the position of the Philippines as the Pearl of the Orient – a shining example for democratic virtue in the region.