ERC transfers to new office by end-June

MANILA, Philippines — While it waits for the acquisition of its own building, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is aiming to complete the transfer of its entire workforce in a leased office in Ortigas by end-June.

ERC chairperson and CEO Agnes Devandera said leasing in the Exquadra Tower is only temporary since the commission still eyes to acquire its own building.

“The idea of us transferring to a new building has been long overdue and has been one of the projects that ERC is working on for quite some time now. The main idea is to really acquire a building of our own but leasing a new building for now is more practicable and the immediate and essential motivation is mainly for safety reasons,” Devanadera said.

The agency inaugurated its new office last April 4, with the Executive floor being the first one to be fully designed and completed. It leased the 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th floors plus the basement.

The Exquadra Tower, a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or an LEED–certified building, is designed and built to improve energy and water efficiency, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction compliant.

The ERC said the building’s characteristics are aligned with its aim to promote a green and eco-friendly environment for its employees and clientele.

Devanadera said transferring to a new building is really one of the projects she wants to accomplish before her term ends this July.

“There’s a lot of reasons why there’s a need for us to transfer, but the main reason is for our employees to have a safer place while having the benefits of a state-of-the-art building like the Exquadra. The building is not just environment-friendly but will increase employee productivity as the space will be enough for everyone,” Devanadera added.

The building, which is 38-storey high with five basement floors, features top of the line destination control elevators and has turnstiles to prevent traffic in the building.

“As regulator of the electric power industry, I wanted to set an example that buildings like this are the ones that we should start occupying as it helps our environment to be greener in the long run,” Devanadera said.

According to the ERC chief, the commission was inspired to settle in the Exquadra Tower it being an LEED-Certified building that would serve as its home for the next few years.