WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), declared the Poicy of the State among others to: (i)  ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power; (ii) protect the public interest as it is affected by the ratesand services of electric utilities and other providers of electric power; and (iii) establish a strong anf purely independent regulatory body and system to ensure consumer protection and enhance the competitive operation of the electricity market.