THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), to show its commitment to improve its services to the Filipino electricity consumers and stakeholders, has launched its short-term program for efficiency dubbed as “ERC’s 5Es”. The 5Es are: (1) ERC on Wheels; (2) ERC Academy; (3) eWISE (ERC Web Portal for Interactive and Systematic Exchange); (4) ERC on Emerging Technologies; and (5) ERC Enabling Electrification. The launching was held during the ERC’s 17th Anniversary celebration on 27 June 2018 at its office in Pasig City.
“We are heeding to the call of President Duterte to cut red tape and facilitate doing business in the government. The ERC’s 5Es is our response to the directive to improve regulation and spur economic development in the country,” ERC chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera explained.
ERC on Wheels aims to provide a proactive platform by bringing the ERC closer to the electricity consumers. Through the ERC on Wheels, consultations will be conducted all over the country to address concerns of consumers of electric services. This will encourage proactive consumer interactions, expeditious complaints resolution, continuous consumer group dialogues, and empowered Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD).
ERC Academy equates to “Pagpapaunlad ng Kamalayan, Kaalaman, at Kakayahan sa Industriya ng Kuryente” (Advance the consciousness, knowledge, and capacities in the electric power industry). This ERC Academy shall reinforce the continuous capacity building of ERC staff and update the energy industry players, consumer advocates, and media practitioners who cover the energy industry on the new policy directions of the ERC.
The eWISE provides for the automation of ERC processes for transparency and accountability towards regulatory efficiency. Through the eWISE, there will be: (1) Automation of filing of applications; (2) Electronic compilation of data; (3) Ease in comparison of data submitted in different cases by the same entity; (4) Facilitate generation of reports for pre and post analytics of regulatory policies; and (5) Modified paperless internal system. The eWISE project is also expected to help realize the Zero Backlog Program that will address the ERC’s existing backlog thereby ensuring that the commitments and deliverables of the agency are met with professionalism and efficiency.
ERC on Emerging Technologies seeks to bring into the consciousness of the regulator and stakeholders the impact of advance technologies on the provision of electricity. In this light, the ERC will provide regulation for new and evolving technologies such as the Solar Home System (SHS), Advance Metering Infrastructure, the Rules on Electronic Billing, Distribution Energy Resource, Battery Energy Storage System, and the Net Metering.
ERC Enabling Electrification intends to boost electrification through appropriate and timely resolution of applications in the unserved and unviable communities. This will entail the creation of a Specialized Task Force who will resolve with dispatch applications of Qualified Third Parties (QTPs) and New Power Producers (NPPs) in unserved and unviable communities. This program will allow the on-time issuance of Authority to Operate (ATO) to enable the QTPs and NPPs to provide electric service and spur economic growth to these communities.
“We have entered a new regime where consumer benefit consciousness is given utmost consideration. With the 5Es now in place, we seek to be a proactive and an enabling regulator,” ERC chair Devanadera added./PN
