In a historic move toward greater transparency in energy regulation, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) held its first-ever Open Commission Meeting on July 9 at its main office in Pasig City, with proceedings livestreamed to the public.

Presided over by ERC Chairperson and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta, alongside Commissioners Alexis M. Lumbatan, Catherine P. Maceda, and Marko Romeo L. Fuentes, the session opened up the Commission’s deliberative process to a broader audience in real time for the first time in its history.

Key agenda items focused on improving regulatory oversight and consumer protection. Among these were:

• The proposed Resolution on the Qualifications, Training, and Duties of Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) Officers, which seeks to institutionalize more responsive frontline customer service mechanisms for distribution utilities (DUs) and retail suppliers (RS);

• The proposed Resolution on the Qualifications, Training, Functions, and Accreditation of Regulatory Compliance Officers (RCOs, including an Enhanced Mandatory Regulatory Education Program (EMREP) to improve regulatory awareness and compliance standards;

• The revised 2025 Leniency Program for Reports, which aims to provide clear guidelines on granting leniency for late or non-submission of regulatory filings.

According to the ERC, Open Commission Meetings will be held at least once every quarter, as outlined in the Interim Guidelines on the Conduct of Open Commission Meetings. The meeting transcript will be available for download one week after the meeting, while audio and video recordings will be publicly accessible for 30 days from the meeting date.

This initiative was enabled by the Commission’s digitalization efforts, which have expanded its capacity to deliver public service through online platforms.

The ERC described the move as a “bold step” in promoting transparency, inclusivity, and public access to regulatory processes, setting a precedent for open and responsive regulation in the Philippine energy sector.

What do you think about the ERC’s push for more transparency? Share your thoughts with us.

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Photo credit: ERC Linkedin page