OUTGOING Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said there is room for electricity rates to go down in the Philippines if the ongoing programs started by the current officials will be continued.
“Meron pa talagang space para mapababa yung presyo ng kuryente. Yung isang pinakamadali na pwedeng gawin ng ERC dyan is i-pursue talaga itong fuel cost audit para masiguradong yung tamang presyo lang ang sinisingil ng mga distribution utilities at electric cooperatives sa ating mga consumers,” said Dimalanta in a virtual press briefing on July 18.
Dimalanta’s resignation from from her post takes effect on August 7, while former ERC Executive Director Atty. Saturnino Juan will take over on August 8 as chairman.
Two other lawyers, Atty. Amante Liberato and Atty. Paris Real have also been appointed commissioners after 2 commissioners retired.
Dimalanta said she is confident that Malacanang vetted all the appointees well and that they will contribute to the critical task of the commission.
In recent months, according to Dimalanta, generation charge particularly referring to prices at the electricity spot market have been generally going down due to more than ample supply.
She also admitted there was no more time to finish the rate reset of Meralco in her remaining 3 weeks in office but decisions on some power supply agreements and show cause orders that were previously approved will be released soon.
Meanwhile, incoming ERC Chairman Saturnino Juan admitted he applied for a commissioner position but was instead appointed head of the commission.
Juan has served the ERC for 10 years starting as one of the lawyers, general counsel and executive director of the commission until end 2015.
When asked if he can assure consumers that electricity prices in the Philippines can still go down, Juan said it’s a matter of supply and demand that’s why government and the private sector must ensure that there is more than enough generating capacity.
The Philippines has the second highest electricity rate in Southeast Asia second to Singapore. Juan vows to push for the interest of the consumers as well as industry players or businessmen in order to maintain and expand their investment in the generation sector, thus ensuring more electricity supply. (ABS-CBN News)
