Philippines ERC Begins Review Of NGCP Revenue Proposal For 2028–2032 Regulatory Period

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has officially started the review process for the proposed Maximum Annual Revenue (MAR) of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for its 6th Regulatory Period, covering the years 2028 to 2032. The review follows the filing of an amended application by NGCP on May 26, 2026, which was formally accepted by the ERC under Case No. 2026-070 RC after determining that it complied with the required filing rules and initial fee requirements.

The regulatory review will determine the amount of annual revenue that NGCP will be allowed to recover during the five-year regulatory period. It will also serve as the basis for setting future transmission wheeling rates that are charged for the use of the country’s electricity transmission network. The ERC said the evaluation will follow the alternative rate-setting methodology provided under existing regulatory rules.

As part of the review process, the ERC has scheduled a series of public hearings and pre-trial activities to gather information and ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to participate. The proceedings began on July 21, 2026, with an in-person hearing at the ERC Hearing Room in Pasig City. During this session, the Commission verified jurisdictional requirements and heard NGCP’s expository presentation intended for stakeholders from Luzon.

Later that same day, a separate virtual presentation was conducted through Microsoft Teams for stakeholders from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Additional hearings have been scheduled for July 28 and August 4, after which a Pre-Trial Conference will be held to establish the issues and procedures for the succeeding stages of the case.

To promote transparency and public participation, the ERC instructed NGCP to publish the Notice of Public Hearing in two newspapers with nationwide circulation for two consecutive weeks. The grid operator has also been directed to provide copies of the notice to provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and local councils within its service areas for posting on public bulletin boards.

The ERC further ordered NGCP to furnish copies of the order to several government agencies, including the Office of the Solicitor General, the Commission on Audit, and the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Energy.

The commission also established strict deadlines for procedural submissions. At least five calendar days before the initial hearing, NGCP must submit proof that the required publications, public postings, and consumer notifications have been completed. Both NGCP and participating stakeholders are also required to submit pre-trial briefs, judicial affidavits of witnesses, and supporting evidence in both electronic and printed formats within the prescribed timelines.

The ERC warned that failure to comply with these procedural and jurisdictional requirements could result in the cancellation of scheduled hearings. During the proceedings, NGCP is expected to present its application in clear and simple language, explaining the basis for its proposed revenue requirement and allowing consumers, industry participants, and other stakeholders to better understand the request before the commission reaches its final decision.