News and Articles
SUMMER IS POWER PLANT WATCH SEASON
April 26, 2018As we seek to protect rights of the consumers to have reliable, accessible and affordable for the Filipinos, CitizenWatch Philippines pledges to continue its initiative, Power Plant Watch where the group closely monitors the performance of power plants and identifies shutdown of power plants by name to increase transparency in the generation side.
CA ruling on WESM price spike to cost consumers P17 B
December 15, 2017(Originally published on December 14 by the Philippine Star) MANILA, Philippines — Customers are expected to bear the brunt of the Court of Appeals’ decision reversing the Energy Regulatory Commission’s (ERC) order which voided the sharp spike in spot market rates in December 2013. Advocacy group Citizen Watch said the CA decision would pass on […]
Citizen Watch decries P17 billion in projected charges to be passed on to power consumers
December 12, 20172013 was a disastrous year for the power sector. In addition to the scheduled closure of Malampaya, several other plans were also shut down, causing rates in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to skyrocket for the electricity sold from October to December that year. Thankfully the Energy Regulatory Commission, in its regulatory function, […]
Sugar sweetened beverage taxes too much for ordinary consumers
November 20, 2017CitizenWatch Philippines stands firm in defense of the rights of Filipino consumers. As an advocacy group that aims to empower ordinary consumers on their primary right to avail of basic commodities at affordable prices, we strongly urge the members of the Congress to minimize the impact of the sugar sweetened beverage taxes as it will […]
Sweetest compromise: Cutting sweetened beverage taxes and its consequences
November 20, 2017(Originally published on November 17 by Philippine Star) On Nov. 7, 2017, Sen. JV Ejercito, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means Senator Sonny Angara, proposed amendments to Senate Bill 1592, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). The amendments for approval and consideration […]
ERC cautioned on new rate hike decisions
June 26, 2017The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is being cautioned on succeeding decisions it might render that would drive up electricity rates for consumers, especially those on feed-in-tariff (FIT) subsidy for the renewable energy (RE) sector as well as other pending applications of the regulated power entities.
ERC warned against petitions to hike rates
June 20, 2017Consumer group Citizen Watch cautioned the Energy Regulatory Commission against approving some pending applications that will increase power rates.
Commentary: Powering Dutertenomics
May 25, 2017Last month, the Duterte administration pitched an ambitious economic plan, Dutertenomics, that could usher in a “golden age” of infrastructure for the Philippines. The plan, which entails massive infrastructure spending over the next few years on high-impact projects, is seen to create jobs, connect people and spur economic growth throughout the country.
Ever increasing burden of FiT
May 25, 2017Just the other day, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced the approval yet again of an increase in Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) rates to be collected from consumers.
Agham, 2 watchdogs: SC restraining order vs RCOA benefits consumers
February 27, 2017CitizenWatch said it is good the high court issued the TRO dated February 21, 2017, enjoining the DOE, ERC and its agents from implementing the RCOA rules and regulations that mandate mandatory migration of Contestable Customers and at the same time limit competition.