(For the Report Period April 2020)

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 36th Status Report on Republic Act No. 9136 titled “Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001” covers the implementation period November 2019 to April 2020. This highlights significant accomplishments, strategies and policies undertaken by the Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the DOE Attached Agencies as well as other private sector instrumentalities so mandated by the EPIRA.

During the report period, several events occurred that deeply affected the power industry including the devastation left by Typhoon Ursula which ravaged the Northeastern Mindanao, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Western Visayas, the eruption of Taal Volcano in January 2020 which temporarily displaced about 846,000 resident of Laguna, Cavite and Batangas and the recent pandemic Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) which put the economic activities of the country at almost stand still. Also in this report, it highlighted the response that the power sector has implemented in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and support the government’s effort to prevent the spread and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

Amid the mobility limitation brought by implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and work from home (WFH) arrangements, the sector strived to operate normally while adhering to the norms implemented with the issuance of various regulations in line with Republic Act No. 11469 titled Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, also known as the Bayanihan Act, which was enacted in 25 March 2020 granting the President additional authority to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

The Department of Energy has implemented emergency measures against the COVID-19 to ensure a continuous supply of energy within the country. These include the issuance of identification cards (IDs) to facilitate movement of workers in the delivery of energy services and fuels, close coordination with other concerned government agencies and corporations including local government officials and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the unimpeded movement of energy products and services needed for the daily operations and establishment of a 24/7 Bayanihan Energy Service hotline to assist industry players.

Click to view/download the 36th EPIRA Implementation Status Report