More transparency sought from ERC

MANILA 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua urged Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chief Monalisa Dimalanta to conduct transparency audits on all agreements with electric cooperatives and power distribution utilities, as well as the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

Dimalanta resumed chairmanship of the ERC after the Office of the Ombudsman lifted its suspension order against her stemming from a complaint filed by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms.

Chua urged Dimalanta to have «deadlines on the notarization, transmission and disclosure of documents, as well as the establishment of an online portal where power sector entities and regulators can file their documents.»

Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman and CEO Monalisa Dimalanta. Photo by Mike Alquinto

He said the ERC's composition should be expanded from the current five — one chairman and four commissioners — to nine to improve the workload capacity and management at the agency.

Chua added that the ERC should have inspectorate services composed of forensic auditors, accountants, lawyers, data scientists, electrical engineers and information technology experts.

«Having an Inspectorate Service will give the ERC a small army of inspectors and investigators with visitorial powers to make sure the electric cooperatives fully comply with laws, regulations, and standards,» said Chua, head of the House blue ribbon committee.

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