Manila: The Department of Energy (DOE) is implementing additional measures to help cushion the impact of oil supply issues, including the fast-tracking of net metering application processes.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOE announced in a news release that distribution utilities (DUs) and electric cooperatives (ECs) are now required to complete the processing of net metering applications within 10 days. Local government units (LGUs) have been given a three-working-day deadline to accomplish their part of the process.
These initiatives are part of the programs aligned with Executive Order (EO) No. 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East affecting oil supply transit. Prior to EO 110, DUs and ECs had a 20-working-day period for processing, and LGU approval times varied per permit. The net metering program allows power consumers to install their own power sources, like solar panels, and transfer surplus power to the grid, receiving credits on their electricity bill.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating that delays in net metering equate to delays in savings for Filipino consumers. The initiative aims to expedite approval processes, allowing more households and businesses to benefit from rooftop solar, thereby reducing electricity bills and enhancing resilience against global energy price shocks.
In addition to net metering enhancements, the DOE has issued special guidelines for deputized agencies involved in fuel station monitoring and inspection. These guidelines ensure that inspections are conducted in a "disciplined, coordinated, and orderly manner," involving LGU representatives, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the National Power Corporation (NPC).
The guidelines direct deputized agencies to coordinate with the DOE during inspections, properly identify themselves, communicate the purpose of their visit, observe fuel inventory levels and sales practices, verify unusual purchases, and document observations for DOE evaluation. The DOE has also tightened anti-hoarding policies in the downstream oil industry to ensure fuel availability and prevent artificial shortages during the State of National Energy Emergency (SNEE).
The anti-hoarding measures include clear definitions of prohibited acts, preventive measures like temporary fuel purchase limits, enhanced monitoring through the Emergency Petroleum Monitoring System (EPMS), and defined enforcement procedures, including issuing Show Cause Orders. The DOE is also re-convening the DOE-Department of Justice (DOJ) Task Force to address suspected hoarding, determine violations, and initiate legal actions as needed.
Energy Secretary Garin highlighted that these guidelines ensure the continuous movement of petroleum products to necessary locations, safeguarding consumers, supporting economic activity, and maintaining public order amid the impact of the Middle East conflict on global oil markets.
