An opinion piece published by Philstar Biz questions whether the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is capable of fulfilling its mandate, arguing that government incompetence in regulating the power industry is a major factor in the country's energy woes.
The article acknowledges that the current ERC leadership has been trying hard to clean up what it describes as an inherited mess. However, it warns that the sins of the past will continue to hurt consumers and the industry for some time, suggesting that the damage from previous regulatory failures is deep and not easily reversed.
The piece implies that the ERC's effectiveness is constrained by long-standing systemic problems, and that the public may have to endure continued difficulties before meaningful improvements are felt. It raises doubts about whether the commission can deliver reliable and reasonably priced electricity amid these challenges.