‘Very slim chance’ for EPIRA amendments this year – ERC

The proposed changes in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) face a long road ahead, but the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) still clings to a "very slim chance" of enactment this year.

- By Brix Lelis

With less than three months before the 19th Congress ends, ERC chairperson and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta remains optimistic the EPIRA amendments would secure legislative approval.

"It's a very slim chance that we will get it passed, but we're still hopeful that we can get the support from both chambers," Dimalanta said in a recent interview.

While significant progress has been made in the House of Representatives, the proposal still has a steep climb ahead in the upper chamber.

"In the House, we've actually advanced quite a bit; it's already on its second reading. In the Senate, it hasn't gone past the committee on energy," Dimalanta said.

According to the legislative calendar for the 19th Congress' third regular session, both chambers, currently in recess, will reconvene on June 2 and adjourn on June 13.