Duterte issues EO for PH’s total electrification

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MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order for a “consistent and reliable electricity service” to achieve total electrification in the Philippines.

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 156 to  “institute measures to ensure consistent and reliable electricity service in inadequately served areas, improve performance of ineffective distribution utilities, and achieve total electrification of the country”,  a copy of which was released to media on Saturday.

Under the order, the Department of Energy (DOE) is tasked to identify unviable, unserved, underserved and poorly served areas within the franchise areas of distribution utilities.

The DOE must order all distribution utilities to submit a Comprehensive Electrification Master Plan for the total electrification of their respective franchise areas.

Meanwhile, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) shall “promulgate rules in computing rates that allow full cost recovery for the facilities built by microgrids, [distributed energy resources], and other alternative electric service providers.”

The ERC is also responsible for the imposition of fines and penalties against non-compliant distribution utilities and recommend the revocation of their franchises to Congress.

The National Electrification Administration, on the other hand, must “coordinate with the DOE and extend the necessary assistance to enhance distribution development.”

Funds for the implementation of the executive order will be sourced from the budgets of the concerned agencies.

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