Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
- May 18, 2019 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A law is being
proposed to institutionalize an independent energy watchdog that will focus on
consumer protection.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs
the Senate Committee on Energy, has filed Senate Bill 2222, or “Energy Consumer
Advocate Act,” which seeks to create the energy consumer advocate office
(ECAO).
ECAO would represent consumers in
all rate-setting, rule-making, and other energy related cases and proceedings
before government agencies, including judicial and quasi-judicial bodies.
Gatchalian said the bill is aimed at
institutionalizing independent consumer representation in the energy sector,
given the glaring lack of representation for consumers in cases filed before
the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
“The state must recognize the right
of energy consumers to reasonable rates, adequate and reliable services, and
transparent processes involving these rates and services,” he said.
“Towards this end, there is a need
for institutionalized and independent consumer representation in energy-related
cases and proceedings before government agencies,” Gatchalian said.
Republic Act 9136 or the Electric
Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) mandates the ERC to set performance
standards and retail rates in the energy sector, allow the recovery of just and
reasonable costs as well as reasonable return, and ensure consumer protection.
If passed into law, the ECAO will be
tasked with representing consumers in energy sector matters affecting the
public interest before any department, commission, agency, or court.
Headed by the Energy Consumer
Advocate (ECA), the ECAO would be an independent and autonomous office attached
to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The proposed measure also seeks to
prohibit the ECA and deputy ECA from serving as members of the board or as
officers, employees, or consultants of any energy company, and from having any
interest, ownership, or stake in any energy company during their term of office
to ensure their independence.
They are also enjoined
from being members of a political party or committee and from engaging in
partisan political activity.
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