THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is keenly awaiting the issuance of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) allowing the agency to regulate power producers supplying to economic zone locators.

Lilia de Lima, Peza director general, said the IRR, once promulgated, would lead to reduced power rates in Peza-accredited sites.

At the same time, de Lima said the new rule would allow for a more speedy approval of new power projects.

The IRR, which is now being crafted by the Department of Energy (DOE), reverts the authority to regulate independent power producers (IPPs) operating inside economic zones to Peza.

This authority went to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) after the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001 was interpreted to have amended the Peza law.

However, a recent opinion released by the Department of Justice clarified the issue and ruled that Peza should remain as the agency to regulate IPPs located in Peza-accredited sites.

De Lima said Peza would push full regulation to allow it to gain control over the cost of power being collected by these IPPs so long as they do not supply power outside the ecozones.

“There will be no more ERC intervention,” de Lima added.

Through this, de Lima said, Peza will be able to negotiate for lower rates from IPPs, especially those that are still seeking approvals from Peza.

IPPs, being Peza locators, themselves, enjoy perks like duty-free importation of equipment and lower income tax rates.

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THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is keenly awaiting the issuance of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) allowing the agency to regulate power producers supplying to economic zone locators.

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