MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court ordered the Energy Regulatory Commission to review utility giant Meralco’s asset base to provide the electricity that is of the “least cost” to consumers. This is to ensure that consumers are given electricity “in the least cost manner,” as held in ERC’s charter. The SC also said that ERC “failed to properly consider COA’s (Commission on Audit) findings.”The case stemmed from a petition filed by National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms that sought the courts to assail ERC’s approval of Meralco’s unbundled rates in 2003. On Oct. 30, 2001, Meralco then filed its application for its unbundled rates, appraisal of properties and proposed an increase in rates of P1.1228/kwh. But NASECORE said that the ERC erred when it disregarded COA’s finding on Meralco’s operating expenses which included employees’ pension and other benefits.

Source: Philippine Star October 10, 2019 04:07 UTC