WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9136 titled, "Electiic Power Industry Reform Act of 2001" or the EPIRA, declares the policy of the State, among others, to ensure the quality, reliability, security, and affordability of the supply of electric power and to ensure transparent and reasonable prices of electricity in a regime of free and fair competition and full public accountability to achieve greater operational and economic efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of Philippine products in the global market;