The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it facilitated PHP 21.3 billion in refunds for electricity consumers during the first 10 months of Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan’s tenure, highlighting the figure as it marked its 25th anniversary this month.

The refunds covered over- and under-recoveries, regulatory reset adjustments, and the Meralco Actual Weighted Average Tariff (AWAT) refund. The Commission said the consumer relief measures formed part of its broader reform agenda focused on transparency, efficiency, and consumer welfare.

Consumer assistance remained a key priority in 2026, with the ERC suspending the collection of the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All) for the May and June billing periods and directing power sector participants to implement flexible payment arrangements, staggered billing schemes, and temporary disconnection relief measures during the national energy emergency.

“These reforms reflect our shared commitment as a Commission to ensure that regulation is not only efficient, but also fair, transparent, and responsive to the realities faced by our consumers,” Juan said.

The ERC also approved a Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy Rate, including a 100% discount for marginalized consumers using 0 to 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, and adopted amendments to the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers to strengthen consumer rights and improve billing transparency.

Beyond consumer protection, the regulator reported significant gains in regulatory output. From August 2025 to May 2026, it issued 2,142 decisions and orders, 244 show-cause orders, and addressed 3,875 consumer complaints. The Commission also released 34 rule-making resolutions and issued more than 6,000 licenses and authorizations during the period.

The ERC said reforms in the renewable energy sector contributed to a 243.56% increase in net-metering registrations, reaching 23,331 qualified end-users and 228,766.63 kilowatts peak (kWp) of connected capacity. Net metering allows consumers with renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar, to export excess electricity to the grid.

The Commission also approved a new Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) rate, established the country’s first offshore wind ceiling price under the Green Energy Auction Program, and adopted a Green Energy Auction Reserve Price for pioneer biomass waste-to-energy projects.

“We will continue to build on these gains by strengthening our regulatory systems, deepening stakeholder engagement, and ensuring that every policy decision ultimately serves the public interest,” Juan said.

The ERC oversees an industry valued at approximately PHP 4.13 trillion and said it will continue pursuing reforms aimed at improving market oversight, regulatory governance, and consumer welfare.

As the Commission approaches Chairperson Juan’s first full year in office, can these reforms continue translating into lower costs, stronger consumer protection, and a more reliable power sector for Filipinos?

Follow Power Philippines on Facebook and LinkedIn or join our Viber community for more updates.