Consumers Group Pushes for Energy Price Monitoring Councils

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS), through its president, Wennie Sancho, is urging the government to establish Energy Price Monitoring Councils (EPMC) at both the national and local levels through legislation or an executive order.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, Sancho emphasized that the councils are necessary to address the economic challenges faced by electricity consumers and to ensure that electricity prices remain just and reasonable.

He proposed that the National Energy Price Monitoring Council (NPMC) prod the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reassess power generation charges to guarantee transparency and fairness.

Meanwhile, the Local Energy Price Monitoring Councils would collaborate with local government units (LGUs) to sustain efforts in addressing high electricity costs.

Sancho also urged the ERC to intensify its monitoring of power generation companies to prevent market abuse, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and maintain transparency in power generation charges.

He explained that the mandate of the national and local EPMCs would include monitoring and reviewing electricity prices in their areas to ensure fairness.

This includes analyzing price trends in local electricity markets, investigating complaints of price manipulation, and ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.

Sancho said he plans to submit a formal proposal for the creation of EPMCs to both the national and local governments.

“This initiative will require coordinated efforts to protect consumers and distribution utilities from further increases in electricity prices, especially amid economic challenges caused by inflation and the rising cost of living,” Sancho stressed.