The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced yesterday that it will conduct summary proceedings for applications related to critical electricity projects to expedite the resolution of approximately 5,000 pending cases before the regulatory body.
The ERC, in a statement, said that the move is expected to accelerate the government’s target of achieving total electrification nationwide.
The regulatory body added that under resolution No. 16, series of 2025 promulgated on September 29, 2025, the use of summary proceedings for applications such as authority to develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities, approval of capital expenditure projects, confirmation of over/under recoveries, approval of contracts for the supply of electric energy, issuance of Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity, and business separation and unbundling plans, has been authorized.
However, the ERC noted that summary proceedings will only apply in instances where there are no intervenors or uncontested applications, and for applications with intervenors, provided that all parties have agreed to subject the application to summary proceedings.
The regulatory body did not cite the specific amount of time that will be saved in resolving cases with this new policy.
ERC chair Francis Saturnino Juan said that the initiative reflects the regulatory body’s drive toward faster and more efficient regulation.
“We will do everything we can to accelerate the resolution of applications filed before the ERC. Streamlining our processes is key to fulfilling our commitment to a more responsive and revitalized ERC,” Juan said.
The regulatory body pointed out that some of the current longstanding case backlogs date back to the ERC’s inception in 2001. This highlights the need for actionable steps to streamline internal processes.
The ERC noted that among the 5,000 pending cases involve the rate reset of private distribution utilities, implementation and resets under the Rules for Setting Electric Cooperatives’ Wheeling Rates, capital expenditure applications, approvals of Power Supply Agreements including Emergency PSAs, applications for point-to-point lines, dispute resolutions, rule-making, other rate-related cases, and unreleased show cause orders.
Juan said each of the five ERC commissioners will serve as oversight heads for specific services to ensure that all cases are acted upon within target timelines.
The ERC operates as a quasi-judicial body that mainly decides on applications and cases that will affect power rates in the country.
