The Department of Energy today said its mandate is to implement the law and consumers should have the freedom of choice as to which power provider they prefer to deal with. 

The DOE reiterated its mandate after the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), a key provision of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said the DOE is duty-bound to implement the law which seeks to uphold the freedom of choice of the consumers and to promote market competition.

 “The provisions in the EPIRA mandates the DOE to ensure the security, reliability and availability of transparent and reasonably-priced electricity in the country,” Cusi expressed. 

 “One of the provisions of the law is the implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), which allows consumers to directly contract power supply from licensed Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES),” Cusi clarified.

 “The spirit of the RCOA is giving the consumers the freedom of choice which would result in higher productivity for them. And the power of choice can only be maximized when there is a level playing field for all suppliers,” Cusi assured.

"It is hoped that whatever the Decision by the Supreme Court, it will redound to the ultimate benefit of the consumers which is really the intent and the spirit of RCOA." Cusi concluded.

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