ERC, ELAP Join Forces to Educate on Power Market

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines (ELAP) have formalized a partnership to enhance public awareness of the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM) and consumer choice policies.

The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 8, 2025, at the ERC Main Office in Pasig City, marking a joint commitment to improve energy literacy among consumers and stakeholders.

The collaboration aims to simplify and disseminate complex electricity market rules, particularly those outlined in the Omnibus Rules for Customer Choice Programs, which govern the rights of large electricity users to choose their own power suppliers.

“I believe we cannot successfully reach the extent and magnitude of competition in the energy market that we want without the private sector coming in—and private sector coming in is not just putting in money, but it is also in the form of knowledge, of expertise, and sharing your experiences with our consumer base, not just with clients who will necessarily pay for legal services,” said ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta.

Under the MOU, ELAP will contribute legal perspectives through policy papers and actively support the ERC’s nationwide information and education campaigns (IECs).

“For 24 years, the industry has been trying to work on promoting the competitive retail market, so we would like to be able to participate and help in the IECs of ERC,” said ELAP Chairman Atty. Eric Puno.

The CREM framework, launched under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, enables electricity end-users with a monthly average peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts to contract directly with retail electricity suppliers, fostering market competition and potentially lowering power costs.

Despite regulatory milestones, uptake in CREM has been gradual, largely due to limited awareness and technical complexity among eligible consumers, especially businesses in the commercial and industrial sectors.

ELAP Chair Emeritus Atty. Pete Maniego, who previously chaired the National Renewable Energy Board, emphasized the urgency of making energy policy more accessible.

“Energy policies are complex, and it’s critical that consumers understand their rights and choices in the power market,” Maniego said.

The ERC said the partnership will also help promote transparency, regulatory compliance, and more informed decision-making among market participants.

As the retail electricity sector evolves, particularly with developments in green energy and distributed generation, both ERC and ELAP underscored the need for a legally informed consumer base that can navigate emerging market opportunities.

The move supports broader government efforts to deepen competition in the power sector, in line with the Philippines’ energy transition goals and commitments to increase consumer empowerment.