National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda on Wednesday underscored the crucial role of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) in advancing rural electrification efforts during the 2025 Market Participants Update.
Speaking as guest of honor for the event, the NEA chief recognized IEMOP’s contributions to fostering collaboration among key stakeholders—including power generators, distribution utilities such as electric cooperatives (ECs), and state regulators—in enhancing the country’s electricity market.
“The IEMOP, as the market operator, ensures the transparency and efficiency of the WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market), thereby allowing power producers and consumers to participate in a competitive market,” Administrator Almeda said in Cagayan de Oro City.
The NEA leader particularly highlighted the importance of WESM to the ECs, which allows them to access more competitive and flexible power supply options, thereby reducing costs for consumers while maintaining a stable electricity supply.
“It (WESM) also serves as a backup source of power in times of peak demand and supply disruptions, allowing ECs to secure electricity for the benefit of their consumers without having to rigorously take into account the usual considerations that long-term commitments bring,” he explained.
The Administrator reaffirmed the NEA’s commitment to supporting ECs through legal, institutional, financial, and technical assistance to ensure they remain effective as market participants. He talked about the reforms on key performance standards initiated under his leadership.
“We introduced amendments to the performance assessment mechanisms for ECs by placing emphasis on financial and institutional parameters. Part of these reforms are the grant of merit points to electric cooperatives who are able to timely pay their power accounts with their suppliers,” he said.
Administrator Almeda also emphasized the importance of market compliance, including accurate metering and adherence to trading protocols. In particular, he urged stakeholders to adopt a “consumer-centric” approach when formulating power supply contracts.
“While it is understandable that we all have our individual interests and responsibilities, we must always take to heart that we have a shared goal: to provide Filipinos with affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity,” he said.
Moving forward, the NEA chief also called on industry players to equally prioritize sustainability measures alongside affordability and reliability.
“Whether through WESM participation, compliance with performance standards, integration of renewable energy, or enhanced market roles, each of us has a responsibility to contribute to a more systematic and consumer-centric energy sector,” Administrator Almeda said.
IEMOP was established in May 2018 as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). The Market Participants Update gathered key industry leaders to discuss developments in the electricity market, reinforcing the commitment of stakeholders to a stable and efficient energy sector. ###
