LAOAG CITY, May 8 (PIA) – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) hosted a training-workshop on energy regulation reporting to help journalists in North Luzon understand more about energy sources and energy regulation, and get ideas and resources for energy-related stories.
Under the Continuing Regulatory Education for the Stakeholders (CREST), the ERC held the training activity recently at the Fort Ilocandia Resort and Hotel in Laoag City here which helped journalists make sense of the energy beat.
Teofilo Arbalate Jr., officer-in-charge director for planning and information service, said that ERC initiated the knowledge and capacity enhancement training program for the members of the press who have been covering energy issues.
“Representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE), Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), and the ERC provided discussions on specialized topics for the media participants to aid them in better understanding the intricacies of the electric power industry,” Arbalate said.
The topics during the event included review and assessment of power supply agreements and the basics of the current rate-setting methodologies employed; the role of regulators under the competitive regime of the restructured electricity sector; and the Philippine Energy Plan/Distribution Development Plan.
The second day of the training program involved a visit to Pagudpud Wind Farm, a power plant facility.
The ERC made the workshop available for free to energy journalists, including those from the provinces in the Ilocos Region.
Through this activity, the Commission hopes to aid the media in finding and pursuing ideas for energy-related stories about the issues most important to clients, and get a handle on how they can make these issues come alive for their listeners, readers and viewers. (April M. Montes/PIA-1,Ilocos Sur)
