“ACCESS [to electricity] is not just the ability to connect or access to service itself, as it also includes a pricing context. It is not accessible if it is too expensive.”
Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras made this point as he disclosed that their thrust in the next six years is to make access to electricity readily available and affordable for everyone.
He added the Energy department’s new tagline “Energy Access for More” encompasses availability, supply, consistency, reliability and affordability of energy supply. “We target to achieve optimal pricing or the best possible price considering all realities.”
Almendras said they are developing a pricing framework for indigenous sources in the short term to evolve a methodology for pricing of indigenous energy resources in the medium term.
In the short term, his department will review tax issues affecting energy prices, such as the value-added tax
(VAT), real-property taxes and other local taxes; revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), such as issues on lifeline rates, mandated rate reduction, loan condonation and cross-subsidy removal.
Almendras added they will strengthen the capacity of distribution utilities to contract their power supply from power generators or suppliers and for them to implement time-of-use and demand-side management programs.
Almendras also cited the need to upgrade and improve the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ transmission lines to achieve optimal energy pricing.
His department is also looking at launching the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the Visayas, as well as monitoring technical regulation of the players in the power sector.
For the downstream oil industry, Almendras said the Department of Energy will also review oil prices formulas and methodologies in a bid to improve transparency of pricing, among others.
The department will also work on resolving taxation issues with the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs, particularly on issues such as import duties, excise taxes, VAT on refined petroleum products, the biofuel chain and imported ethanol.
“Over the medium term, the Energy department will also work on the establishment of a reserves market for electricity and the implementation of open access and retail competition,” said Almendras. –Paul Anthony A. Isla / Reporter, Businessmirror
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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