Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan marked his first 100 days in office with record issuances and a push for faster, more transparent regulatory processes. In just three months, the ERC released 186 decisions and final orders, 348 provisional authorities and interim reliefs, and 2,575 licenses.

Juan, who assumed office on August 11, said the “New ERC” is guided by streamlined procedures and stronger technical capability. “Our mission is straightforward: to regulate the power industry in a way that is effective, efficient, and prioritizes the welfare of consumers,” he said.

A key focus of his early leadership was ending the decade-long delay in rate resets for private distribution utilities. The ERC implemented the Rationalized Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates to restart the performance-based regulation framework. “We start on a clean slate so that future rate-setting under the PBR becomes forward-looking once more,” Juan said.

The agency also approved a new FIT-All rate to ensure timely payments to renewable energy developers. It also simplified net metering into four core requirements and standardized rules across distribution utilities to make the program easier for households and businesses.

Other regulatory efforts advanced during the period, including rules on Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement reviews and a proposed redesign of the Lifeline Program for qualified marginalized users. The ERC also approved updated rules on Advanced Metering Infrastructure to support real-time data and smart grid initiatives.

The Commission rationalized the Public Offering Requirement for power firms and approved a ruling lowering the Retail Competition and Open Access threshold from 500 kW to 100 kW effective June 26, 2026. This expands eligibility for medium-sized enterprises and institutions.

In August, the ERC intervened in Siquijor’s recurring outages by canceling the permit of the island’s lone supplier and coordinating with energy agencies to license a replacement provider. This prevented an island-wide blackout and restored stability to local power service.

Internally, the ERC submitted its position paper on restructuring bills to Congress and is finalizing a reorganization proposal for the Executive Branch. Addressing agency staff, Juan said: “Ang mahalaga, umarangkada tayo… at lay down the groundwork for the future.”

The ERC said it aims to sustain momentum as it strengthens transparency, efficiency, and consumer-focused regulation moving forward.

How do you think the ERC’s recent reforms will shape the country’s power sector in the coming years?

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