Households in the Philippines can now choose their electricity provider under the government's open access program, as reported by Inquirer.net. The policy, initially limited to large commercial users, has been expanded to residential consumers, allowing them to select from multiple power suppliers rather than being tied to a single distribution utility.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) finalized the rules for residential open access, setting the threshold at a monthly consumption of at least 30 kilowatt-hours, which covers nearly all households. The move aims to foster competition, lower electricity rates, and improve service quality in the power sector.
Consumer groups have welcomed the development but caution that households must be informed about supplier options, contract terms, and potential savings. The government plans to launch a consumer education campaign to support the transition and ensure fair competition among power retailers.