PCC, IEMOP sign data-sharing tie-up

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it signed a partnership with the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc. (IEMOP) to share data to help promote fair competition in the power industry.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PCC said it signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the IEMOP on June 9.

The agreement seeks to establish a structured mechanism for market monitoring, compliance, and information sharing.

The PCC and IEMOP will uphold their respective mandates to monitor and address competition concerns. These include anti-competitive conduct and agreements prohibited under the Philippine Competition Act.

Under the agreement, IEMOP will regularly provide the PCC with reports and market data, safeguarded by strict confidentiality protocols.

For its part, the PCC will provide technical guidance to IEMOP to help identify potential competition issues under the law.

Both parties also agreed to schedule regular consultative meetings to review market data and undertake joint capacity-building activities, including workshops, courses, and specialized training for their personnel and participants in the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).

PCC Executive Director Kenneth V. Tanate said the framework would allow the PCC and IEMOP to work systemically in monitoring the electric power sector.

“Through regular exchange of market data and aligning our technical capabilities with IEMOP’s operational insights, we can better perform our oversight functions, address potential competition concerns, and support a stable market environment,” he said.

The partnership seeks to link the PCC’s mandate to promote and protect market competition with IEMOP’s operational oversight of the WESM under Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

The agreement also allows both parties to establish a structured approach to their respective statutory functions, enhancing institutional efficiency in monitoring the electric power industry.

The PCC in April flagged competition barriers in the retail electricity market, in breach of EPIRA.

It also called on the IEMOP to revisit its policies on vertical integration between generation and retail distribution to foster market competition.

The IEMOP operates the WESM and is the central registration body for retail competition and open access in the electronic power industry. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz