(NAR) VOL. 23 NO. 1, JANUARY - MARCH 2012)
Section 1. Designation of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation as Central Registration Body – The Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) is hereby designated as Central Registration Body (CRB) assigned to undertake the development and management of the required systems and processes and information technology system that shall be capable of handling customer switching and information exchange among retail electricity market participants, as well as the settlement of their transactions in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).
Section 2. Responsibilities of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation – For the purpose of implementing the functions of the CRB under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) regime and under the supervision of the DOE, PEMC is hereby directed to undertake the following:
- Review of WESM Rules and Manuals. PEMC is hereby directed to review and propose such changes to the WESM rules and manuals as may be necessary to ensure the seamless integration of the WESM operations and RCOA. Such changes shall cover revisions to the registration, metering, and billing and settlement procedures in the WESM to address the implementation of the RCOA.
PEMC is likewise enjoined to elevate issues and concerns that may arise in order for the DOE to formulate appropriate policy directions to ensure the efficient implementation of the RCOA.- Develop market infrastructure, systems, and processes. PEMC is further directed to undertake the development of the infrastructure that shall be capable of supporting the registration, customer switching and information exchange among the retail electricity market participants, PEMC and other service providers, as well as the settlement of retail electricity market participant transactions in the WESM. Where necessary, PEMC shall also implement such changes in the infrastructure, systems, and internal processes of the WESM to carry out the changes in the WESM rules and manuals. For the purpose of integrating the RCOA into the WESM operations, all WESM rules and manuals changes shall be approved by the DOE.
- Conduct training for the electric power industry participants. PEMC shall ensure the readiness of all WESM members and service providers for the RCOA by conducting trainings, stakeholders consultations, and other information dissemination activities to inform WESM members and service providers on the changes in the WESM operations brought about by the RCOA integration.
- Comply with DOE directives. PEMC shall comply with the directives of the DOE on the implementation of the RCOA and shall, for this purpose, submit the project implementation plan with cost estimates and timelines and periodic reports as may be required.
- Coordinate with relevant stakeholders and other government agencies. Where necessary, PEMC shall directly coordinate with relevant stakeholders and other government agencies to ensure the smooth preparation for the RCOA. Primarily, PEMC shall coordinate and inform the ERC on the progress of the integration process for the purpose of ensuring regulatory support, as may be necessary.
- Perform such other related functions as may be necessary in the effective and efficient implementation of the RCOA.
Section 3. Regulatory Support. The ERC shall ensure the provision of support in the regulatory requirements and cost recovery for the integration of the RCOA into the WESM, in accordance with existing laws and procedures.
Section 4. Repealing Clause. except insofar as may be manifestly inconsistent herewith, nothing in this Circular shall be construed as to repeal any of the mechanisms already existing or responsibilities already provided for under existing rules.
Section 5. Separability Clause. If any section or provision of this Circular is declared invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof that are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 6. Effectivity Clause. This Circular shall be effective upon its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. PEMC is hereby directed to publish this Circular in the market for information website.