Aboitiz brings more businesses into retail electricity market

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November 6, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz-led AdventEnergy has drawn more medium-sized businesses into the retail power market, giving them access to competitive electricity rates.

The retail electricity supply arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. has seen growing participation from businesses across various industries following the government’s move to lower the threshold for market entry.

“It took more than a decade to get here,” said Catherine del Villar-Pasilaban, vice president for retail energy sales and services at AdventEnergy.

“In 2013, when retail competition began, only end-users with a peak demand of one megawatt could take part in customer choice programs.”

Under the government’s retail competition and open access (RCOA) program, consumers with an average monthly peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts (kW) can now negotiate directly with their preferred energy suppliers.

And among the latest additions to AdventEnergy’s growing customer base are non-profit educational institution Arriesgado College Foundation Inc. and Fully Booked bookstore chain operator Belagua Corp.

AdventEnergy will supply 301 kW to five facilities of Arriesgado College and 261 kW to Fully Booked’s flagship branch in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“Power is the one chapter we never want anyone to notice, and choosing our own partner allows us to write this journey ourselves, ensuring a better experience for our patrons,” Belagua special projects director Javier Daez said.

“We did not switch just to lower a bill; we switched to put that money where it counts – our classrooms, teachers and learners,” Arriesgado College school president Vincent Arriesgado said.

In June, the Energy Regulatory Commission opened the retail power market to more consumers by reducing the RCOA threshold to 100 kW from 500 kW.

Over the next five years, the regulator aims to gradually remove the contestability threshold as it works toward full retail competition in the power sector.

Aboitiz brings more businesses into retail electricity market

Brix Lelis

MANILA, Philippines —Aboitiz-led AdventEnergy has drawn more medium-sized businesses into the retail power market, giving them access to competitive electricity rates.

The retail electricity supply arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. has seen growing participation from businesses across various industries following the government’s move to lower the threshold for market entry.

“It took more than a decade to get here,” said Catherine del Villar-Pasilaban, vice president for retail energy sales and services at AdventEnergy.

“In 2013, when retail competition began, only end-users with a peak demand of one megawatt could take part in customer choice programs.”

Under the government’s retail competition and open access (RCOA) program, consumers with an average monthly peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts (kW) can now negotiate directly with their preferred energy suppliers.

And among the latest additions to AdventEnergy’s growing customer base are non-profit educational institution Arriesgado College Foundation Inc. and Fully Booked bookstore chain operator Belagua Corp.

AdventEnergy will supply 301 kW to five facilities of Arriesgado College and 261 kW to Fully Booked’s flagship branch in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

“Power is the one chapter we never want anyone to notice, and choosing our own partner allows us to write this journey ourselves, ensuring a better experience for our patrons,” Belagua special projects director Javier Daez said.

“We did not switch just to lower a bill; we switched to put that money where it counts – our classrooms, teachers and learners,” Arriesgado College school president Vincent Arriesgado said.

In June, the Energy Regulatory Commission opened the retail power market to more consumers by reducing the RCOA threshold to 100 kW from 500 kW.

Over the next five years, the regulator aims to gradually remove the contestability threshold as it works toward full retail competition in the power sector.