Manila Water, ERC lead historic first: Pioneering retail aggregation switch
(From left) PrimeRES President and CEO Roel Castro, Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios, ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta, IEMOP President and CEO Richard Nethercott, and Meralco COO Ronnie Aperocho during the ceremonial switching of the 10 Manila Water facilities to RAP held at Manila Water’s Lakbayan Center on February 27, 2025.
MANILA, Philippines – As a key advocate of the amendments in Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), Manila Water has taken a pioneering step in securing cost-efficient electricity, becoming the first pilot entity to switch from captive to contestable market under the expanded RAP on February 7, 2025.
With the promulgation of the Omnibus Rules, the coverage of the RAP has been expanded, allowing qualified consumers to benefit from more competitive energy options, expanding the freedom of choice, and promoting energy democracy
The enhanced RAP framework empowers customers like Manila Water to consolidate the power demands of their facilities within the same distribution utility franchise areas, reinforcing the principle of freedom of choice and unlocking access to more affordable electricity through the retail market. By leveraging this opportunity, Manila Water enhances operational efficiency, ensuring long-term benefits for the communities it serves.
“Through this collaboration with the ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission], we have helped refine the RAP to offer greater flexibility in energy sourcing, freedom from choosing power provider and empower to negotiate for lower electricity tariffs. This initiative strengthens our ability to power water and wastewater treatment facilities efficiently while ensuring that cost savings translate into improved services for our customers. At the same time, this step forward contributes to a more competitive and sustainable energy market that benefits the nation,” Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios said.
Currently, the water company has successfully consolidated ten wastewater facilities under the RAP, namely: Heroes Hill Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), FTI (South) STP, Kalayaan STP, San Mateo (North) STP, East Avenue Lift Station, Road 5 (Project 6), Mahabang Parang Lift Station, UP Diliman STP, Diego Silang STP, and Olandes (Marikina) STP. These facilities have a combined average demand of 500KW.
Article continues after this advertisement“For the customers, as mentioned earlier, [the RAP] allows greater freedom to negotiate more acceptable and suitable terms for their power requirements. For the retail suppliers, it allows for the growth of a new market that will usher in more economic activity and more jobs,” ERC Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta said.
This milestone reflects Manila Water’s commitment to responsible resource management and service excellence to t customers. In cooperation with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and its implementing partners MERALCO, PrimeRES Energy Corporation, and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines Inc. (IEMOP), Manila Water continues to advance innovative solutions that optimize operations and provide greater value to the communities it serves.
