The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) achieved major regulatory milestones in 2025, resolving long-pending rate cases, issuing thousands of regulatory actions, and expanding consumer protections, aiming reliable, affordable electricity for Filipino households.
Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the agency is prioritizing transparency and consumer welfare as part of the shift toward the “New ERC.”
“The New ERC stands for greater transparency, stronger public engagement, and a deeper commitment to consumer welfare. Our focus remains on building a future-ready Commission that truly serves every Filipino,” he said.
ERC’s 2025 accomplishments were anchored on four pillars: regulatory reforms, consumer protection, digital transformation, and institutional strengthening.
These accomplishments reflect the Commission’s performance for the year based on validated data as of 12 December 2025.
“A stronger ERC means better service, faster processes, and a more empowered workforce.”
Among the agency’s most significant achievements under regulatory reforms was resolving the long-standing rate-reset backlog for private distribution utilities under the performance-based regulation framework. Through the Rationalized Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RRSDWR), the ERC restored a forward-looking and predictable approach to rate-setting.
The Commission also approved a new Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) rate to ensure timely payment to renewable energy developers while avoiding undue burden on consumers and businesses.
As part of its push to Renewable Energy (RE) program, the ERC simplified net-metering procedures, driving 188 percent surge in registrations, with 19,563 qualified end-users and 185,972.63 kilowatts (kWp) capacity to the grid.
To strengthen compliance and modernize the power sector, the ERC issued several key resolutions such as Resolution No. 17, requiring generation companies and distribution utilities to offer at least 15 percent of their common shares to the public; Resolution No. 20, updated Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) rules; Resolution No. 22, lowering eligibility threshold for Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program; and Resolution No. 23, mandatory AWAT filings; and Resolution No. 24, rationalized rules for wheeling-rate setting.
The ERC also approved Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) and Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) for the Supplemental Market Fees for 2024 to 2027 in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and authorized TransCo’s Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA) for 2025–2026, supporting renewable energy (RE) goals.
“The New ERC stands for greater transparency, stronger public engagement, and a deeper commitment to consumer welfare.”
On consumer protection and crisis prevention, Chairperson Juan emphasized that “Protecting consumers is central to the New ERC.”
“When communities face prolonged service failures, we will not hesitate to intervene swiftly and firmly to restore reliable power,” he added.
Swift interventions included resolving Siquijor’s long-standing power interruptions after years of recurring blackouts by canceling the permit of a non-performing supplier and coordinating with
Department of Energy (DOE) and National Electrification Administration (NEA) to license a replacement provider.
The ERC also facilitated substantial financial relief for consumers, reporting total refunds of Php 21.28 billion covering over- and under-recoveries, regulatory reset refunds, and the Meralco Actual Weighted Average Tariff (AWAT) refund.
In its enforcement work the agency issued 239 show-cause orders, addressed 68 consumer cases, resolved 3,524 letters and emails complaints and processed 5,129 licenses, including Certificates of Compliance (COC) and Provisional Authorities to Operate (PAO).
In operational reforms and digital transformation, ERC rendered 708 case decisions, issued 275 Final Orders and 164 Orders granting interim relief.
The digital transformation program delivered notable gains, the Commission also developed 23 operational information systems, with 13 more ongoing development with a total of 36 digital platforms.
With the Commission’s efforts in organizational development, the agency also strengthened the institution’s public service delivery.
The Commission submitted its position paper on ERC restructuring bills to Congress and is finalizing a reorganization proposal— including a more competitive compensation plan for personnel— for submission to the Executive Branch.
“A stronger ERC means better service, faster processes, and a more empowered workforce,” Chairperson Juan said.
“We are laying the foundation for an institution that can keep pace with an evolving energy sector. As the ERC caps off 2025, the Commission affirms that its reforms mark only the beginning of a sustained push toward a more resilient, modern, and consumer-empowered energy landscape.
“Our work in 2025 is only the beginning. We will continue driving reforms that protect consumers, strengthen institutions and ensure reliable, affordable power for every Filipino,” the ERC Chairperson concluded.
