PHILIPPINES: Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) (Republic Act No. 9136 of 2001)
The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 is an Act ordaining reforms in the electric power industry, amending for the purpose certain laws and for other purposes. In particular it provides a framework for the restructuring of the electric power industry, including the privatization of the assets of NPC (National Public Company), the transition to the desired competitive structure, and the definition of the responsibilities of the various government agencies and private entities. In particular, the Act sets out the reform agenda for the energy sector to be based on three principles: (a) To ensure and accelerate the total electrification of the country; (b) To ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;
(c) To ensure transparent and reasonable prices of electricity in a regime of free and fair competition and full public accountability to achieve greater operational and economic efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of Philippine products in the global market.