New ERC chief vows to speed up, simplify regulation

Incoming Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairman Francis Saturnino Juan is set to push for a bold reform agenda to ensure faster, more decisive actions as he assumes office on Aug. 8.

- By Brix Lelis

Outgoing ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta, meanwhile, is leaving on a high note, pointing to a downward trend in the country's power rates under her watch.

In a statement yesterday, Juan outlined his strategy to fast-track regulatory processes and address the ERC's long-standing backlog in a bid to deliver timely decisions and actions for the energy sector.

For one, he proposed revisiting the agency's current process for reviewing and approving power supply agreements, with the goal of accelerating the entry of new generation capacity to meet the country's growing demand.

Given the recent developments in the rate-reset process of power giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Juan wants to review the continued use of the current rate-setting methodology for distribution utilities.