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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider Energy players welcome Francis Juan back at ERC, now as regulatory chief

Energy players welcome Francis Juan back at ERC, now as regulatory chief

Published Jul 17, 2025 02:18 pm
Less than a week after Monalisa Dimalanta stepped down as chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Malacañang has named her successor.
According to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, former ERC Executive Director Francis Saturnino Juan will assume the post of ERC chairperson effective Aug. 8.
As the agency prepares to welcome its new leader, some energy industry players have begun to share their views on the appointment.
Philippine Independent Power Producers Association Inc. (PIPPA) congratulated Juan for the new position, stating confidence over the new regulatory body chief, as well as the two recently named commissioners.
“We are confident that Chair Nino Juan will continue to pave the way for energy modernization, promoting regulation that is best for all sectors to ensure energy security, reliability, and efficiency,” it said in a statement.
“We also extend our congratulations to the new commissioners, Amante Liberato and Paris Real. PIPPA looks forward to a dynamic ERC in the coming years of their service,” it said in a statement.
Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) also welcomed the swift designation, following a message of gratitude to Chair Monalisa Dimalanta. PSSEA founder and chairperson Maria Theresa Capellan expressed confidence that the ERC will now be led by a seasoned professional with strong expertise in energy regulation.
“It is with sadness that we bid ERC Chair Monalisa Dimalanta our goodbye. We express our deep appreciation for the reforms she introduced in the Commission and wish her well as she continues her journey in the next chapter of her career,” Capellan said.
According to PSSEA, the appointment will ensure minimum disruption to the ERC’s critical regulatory work.
“We have worked closely with Atty. Juan in the past. During his time in the Commission, he has shown resolve amid bureaucratic challenges; displayed good judgement and compassion ensuring consumer protection and fair return to power producers,” she shared.
“He is consistently optimistic by finding ways to navigate the complexities of rule-making,” Capellan added. “We look forward to working with Atty. Juan and we pray that he be constantly guided by national interest, as well as the Holy Spirit in performing his task as [the new] ERC chair.”
Similarly, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (PHILRECA) shared its support to the new leadership, while it suggested a few areas for the Commission to focus on.
PHILRECA executive director and general manager Janeene Depay-Colingan highlighted Juan’s expertise as the former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).
“Our electric cooperatives are at the forefront of delivering power to more than 16 million Filipino households, especially in rural areas. The decisions made by the Commission directly impact the affordability and reliability of electricity for our member-consumer-owners,” she said.
PHILRECA expressed hope that the ERC will prioritize resolving the over- and under-recovery issues of electric cooperatives (ECs), noting that these matters directly impact the financial and operational sustainability of ECs.
The group also hopes for a timely action on pending petitions such as capital expenditure (capex) projects, power supply deals, and competitive selection (CSP) decisions.
Finally, PHILRECA anticipates the appeal to pause ERC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2024, stating that, “While the ‘Omnibus Rules for Customer Choice Programs in the Retail Market’ materializes the objectives of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), this still requires thorough reconsideration with regard to the immediate impact on the operations of electric cooperatives and the quality of service they provide to their member-consumer-owners.”

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) President Emmanuel V. Rubio also commended the timely designation of Juan, as he said that the new ERC chair’s expertise and experience in the energy sector “are valuable assets in strengthening regulatory frameworks, ensuring market transparency, and advancing consumer protection.”

“His appointment comes at a critical time, as the industry continues to navigate the demands of the energy transition while safeguarding affordability and reliability,” he said.

Related Tags

Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Francis Saturnino Juan Monalisa Dimalanta
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