ERC, DoE seal consumer welfare deal

The MOU formalizes and seals the DoE and ERC’s collaboration towards the promotion and protection of consumer interest. #ERCDOEMOU #consumerwelfare

ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera delivering her message at the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with DOE and Consumer Welfare Promotion in Bonifacio Global City on 16 October 2019. (LECICON)

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DoE) held the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the harmonization of consumer welfare and protection programs on 16 October 2019 in Taguig City.

The MOU aims to strengthen the Consumer Welfare Desks (CWD) of distribution utilities by providing them with opportunities for continuous improvement and by inculcating a consumer-centric culture. This will ensure prompt, cost-effective, reliable, and efficient delivery of services.

“This is a significant milestone for both the ERC and the DoE as the MOU formalizes and seals our collaboration towards promotion and protection of consumer interest”, said ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera.

“One way of empowering consumers, as we promote and protect their interests, is through the ERC recently promulgated amendments to the Net-Metering Rules. Under the Amended Net-Metering program, an ordinary consumer can become a “prosumer” who can generate electricity for his own consumption, as well as sell any excess generation to the distribution grid. That, in itself, is ERC’s contribution to empower the consumers”, Devanadera said.

Under the MOU, the DOE through its Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office (CWPO) and the ERC’s Consumer Affairs Service (CAS) will jointly undertake the following: (1) Data and Information Sharing to improve consumer services; (2) Consumer Behavior Survey, Studies and other Researches; (3) Modernization and Improvements, such as securing International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for consumer complaints handling process; (4) Training and Development to enhance the capabilities of Consumer Welfare Desk Officer; (5) Technological and Best Practices Exchange in the area of consumer protection; (6) Policy Recommendations/Formulation to ensure the proper implementation of projects and activities on consumer welfare promotion, protection, and empowerment; (7) Monitoring and Evaluation of the MOU as to its progress and the need to improve thereon, if any; and (8) Harmonization of Plans and Programs for CWD.