SENATE President Win Gatchalian urged the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to shorten the turnaround time for switching electricity suppliers, saying this is crucial to ensuring more consumers benefit from the expanded retail electricity market.

The call follows the ERC’s move to lower the contestability threshold from 500 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts, allowing more small businesses, schools, and households to choose a Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) instead of remaining with their Distribution Utility (DU).

“Opening the market is a big step, but we need to make switching faster and easier. Right now, it can take weeks. [If the process would be sped up, more consumers will have the opportunity to chose suppliers apart from their distribution utilities such as Meralco. They will have easy access to cost-efficient and greener options]” Gatchalian said.

“This reform comes at a critical time as we accelerate our transition to renewable energy. Making switching seamless will help drive demand for cleaner and more affordable power,” he added. “We are expecting that many Filipinos will benefit from this cheaper and cleaner energy alternative.”