MTRCB, ERC sign MOU on consumer education

MTRCB, ERC sign MOU on consumer education

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch campaigns for consumer education about the electric power sector.

The ERC said the partnership aims to educate electricity consumers on the newest trends in the electric power industry, and “raise public awareness on the proper use of electric power and energy conservation.”

“The partnership aims to help the Filipino consumers empower themselves through the acquisition of knowledge about the dynamics of the electric power industry, the roles of the generating companies, transmission companies, distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers and their rights as customers,” ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said.

MTRCB chairman Eugenio H. Villareal said their cooperation with the ERC aims to promote and protect the interests of consumers since the electricity sector is set to undergo further developments.

The MTRCB previously partnered with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to launch safety and anti-pilferage public service videos in movie theaters on their information campaign on transmission line safety and protection, and right-of-way (ROW).

Under the MOU, the parties agreed to “develop and conduct cooperative activities and support any and all efforts, initiatives and activities relating to public information and education campaign aimed at raising public awareness on the importance and proper discernment of the different classification ratings for movies and television programs, as well as the dynamics of film and media literacy, and of audience empowerment vis-à-vis the promotion of consumer interests.”

Both groups are also inviting stakeholders in the movie and television industry to participate in the information-education-communication campaign by disseminating material for public consumption.

The ERC is the national agency which regulates the electric power industry as well as coming up with campaigns on energy use and conservation, while the MTRCB oversees and classifies motion pictures, television programs and publicity materials.