The Philippines’ largest business group is calling for a transparent and collaborative process in reviewing the claim filed by a unit of San Miguel Corp. against the country’s main power distributor.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed its support for a fair and equitable process as San Miguel Global Power (SMGP) seeks to recover ₱34-billion from Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

The claim follows the Supreme Court's decision to uphold SMGP’s pre-termination of a power supply agreement.

While acknowledging SMGP’s legal right to seek cost recovery, the PCCI noted the importance of a process that is fair to all stakeholders, particularly the consuming public.

“Our shared goal is a sustainable energy ecosystem,” the chamber said. “This means balancing the legitimate operational needs of power providers with the fundamental necessity of keeping electricity affordable for families and businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.”

The PCCI is encouraging the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to lead a “thorough and transparent review grounded on verified data.” The group also suggested a constructive dialogue among all parties to reach a fair outcome.

To mitigate the impact on consumers, the PCCI proposed exploring mechanisms such as extended or staggered payment plans, or structured recovery terms that would prevent sudden financial pressure on households and businesses. The chamber also suggested caps on recovery charges per billing cycle.

The PCCI affirmed its confidence in the ERC's mandate to protect consumer interests while ensuring a stable and investable energy market.

The group said it is ready to collaborate with the ERC, power generators, and distributors to find solutions that “uphold the integrity of contracts, ensures the financial health of our energy players, and safeguards the economic well-being of the Filipino consumer.”