ERC taking concrete steps to clear case backlogs

by Myrna Velasco October 22, 2015

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has a self-imposed deadline of one year to clear its docket with case backlogs, hence, it is now taking concrete steps to achieve that  – primarily by reinforcing its workforce.

ERC Chairman Jose Vicente B. Salazar disclosed that he has been in discussions with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on possible designation of lawyers to the power regulatory body who could then help review the pileup of pending cases.

On top of that, the ERC chair held parallel talks with the College of Engineering and the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines (UP) for a contingent from the academe who could be deployed to the ERC and help in the Commission’s work.

With these agreements, Salazar indicated that the manpower of the ERC can be beefed up by about 20 individuals who will have the necessary legal, technical and economic backgrounds.

Salazar said the recruits will be assigned to the Commission’s different units: The Regulatory Affairs Service, Market Operations Service, Legal Services and Consumer Affairs Service, as well as to the technical working groups (TWG) on power supply agreements and renewable energy.

He acknowledged though that since these are coming from fields beyond the sphere of the energy sector, they might need comprehensive training before they could dip their hands into the sensitive yet tough framework of power industry regulation.

That then is the other focus of the regulatory body – and also the necessary budget that shall support these required training activities for the additional ERC-tapped personnel.

The Commission is similarly contemplating on tapping foreign consultants who will help enhance the competence as well as advance the expertise of its employees on energy regulation – especially on matters that could keep the Philippine electricity sector in pace with global developments which are also critical to the needs of the domestic market.

The ERC is persistently lobbying with Congress for the inclusion of training fund on its 2016 budget – and so far, Salazar said they have already gotten the nod of some legislators. Since the new ERC chief’s entry at the Commission, he came across heap of more than 200 undecided cases – with majority needing urgent action to sustain the viability of the power industry, its players and other relevant stakeholders.

Beyond decisions on multiple rate filings and other cases, the ERC also has its hands full on rules formulation – primarily those that have been advancing the sector into a fully competitive retail regime