As the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) prepares for leadership transition, outgoing Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta assured the public that the agency remains fully functional with a quorum still in place. Speaking during a July 18 press conference, Dimalanta said there will be no vacuum in regulatory authority ahead of her official resignation on August 8.

“With the announcement from Malacañang of the incoming chair, Atty. Nino Juan, and the two other incoming commissioners, I hope this puts to bed any concerns or anxiety that there will be a vacuum in the operation of the commission,” she told reporters.

Dimalanta noted that as long as three commissioners remain, the body retains the legal mandate to operate and issue rulings. The ERC is working toward a smooth transition, with new commissioners expected to assume office within the month.

Dimalanta also addressed inquiries about electricity rates, highlighting recent price corrections. According to a June 18 ERC announcement, average generation charges across most regions declined in May following peak rates in April. The National Capital Region (NCR), which posted a high of PHP 7.80/kWh in April, saw relief the following month due to favorable market conditions in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), improved supply margins, and lower coal import prices.

“Starting January 2023, pababa ang generation rates natin sa WESM… nakita natin na pababa yung generation rates in almost all regions,” Dimalanta noted. (“Starting January 2023, our generation rates in the WESM have been going down… we’ve seen that generation rates have decreased in almost all regions.”)

On regulatory initiatives, she underscored the ongoing fuel cost audits involving distribution utilities (DUs) and generation companies (GenCos), which aim to verify whether pass-through fuel charges are legitimate. The ERC uncovered instances where utilities failed to demand fuel invoices—raising concerns of overcharging.

“Meron pa talagang space para mapababa ang presyo ng kuryente. Yung isang pinakamadalang na pwede magawa ng ERC diyan ay i-pursue talaga itong fuel cost audit,” she said. (“There’s definitely still room to lower electricity prices. One of the simplest things the ERC can do is to really pursue these fuel cost audits.”)

To date, 40 show cause orders have been issued to GenCos. Dimalanta said the agency is targeting to complete the reviews within 2025, with corresponding refund or penalty orders as warranted.

On the consumer side, Dimalanta brought up the ERC’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), which allows entities to consolidate electricity demand and procure power at lower rates. She said the program has already delivered cost savings of up to PHP 2/kWh for early participants.

When asked about the incoming commissioners, Dimalanta expressed confidence in the Palace’s selection process. As for her own future, she said she plans to return to teaching and consultancy work—after some much-needed rest.

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