IEMOP Implementation of Customer Switching under the Green Energy Option Program – IEMOP

IEMOP GEOP BULLETIN NO. 3.3, 31 October 2023

IEMOP Implementation of Customer Switching
under the Green Energy Option Program

This Bulletin supersedes Bulletin Nos. 3, 3.1, and 3.2 (issued on 22 December 2021, 4 February 2022, and 22 March 2022, respectively).

RATIONALE

Pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) established the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) which provides a mechanism for electricity end-users to source their electricity supply from renewable energy resources. To operationalize the GEOP, the DOE issued Department Circular Nos. DC2018-07-0019, entitled “Promulgating the Rules and Guidelines Governing the Establishment of the Green Energy Option Program Pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act of 2008” and DC2020-04-0009, entitled “Guidelines Governing the Issuance of Operating Permits to Renewable Energy Suppliers under Green Energy Option Program”. Further to these, the ERC issued ERC Resolution No. 08, Series of 2021 promulgating the Rules for the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) (the “ERC GEOP Rules”) which set out the detailed rules for the implementation of GEOP. The ERC GEOP Rules took effect on 03 September 2021.

Among the salient provisions of the ERC GEOP Rules with respect to registration and customer switching are the following:

End-Users with average peak demand equal to or greater than 100kW are eligible to participate in the GEOP and may contract with duly licensed Renewable Energy Suppliers (RE Suppliers).
The Central Registration Body (CRB) shall process the registration of GEOP participants such as RE Suppliers, GEOP End-Users, Retail Metering Service Providers, and Suppliers of Last Resort.
Similar to the handling of transactions of retail market participants, the CRB shall facilitate transactions among GEOP participants such as switching, customer relocation, termination of supply contracts, and transfer to a Supplier of Last Resort.
End-users who opted into GEOP may voluntarily revert to being a captive customer of their Distribution Utility (DU) subject to conditions and procedures set out in Section 24 of the ERC GEOP Rules.

In its Department Circular No. DC2023-01-0004, entitled “Adopting Amendments to the WESM Rules, Retail Rules, and Various Market Manuals, and Promulgation of the Retail Manual on the Procedures for the Implementation of the GEOP”, the DOE adopted the provisions for the implementation of the GEOP.

PURPOSE AND APPLICATION

This is being issued to provide clarifications and guidance on switch requirements and reminders for Customer Switching under the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

This Bulletin and subsequent bulletins to be issued by the CRB are for guidance only. Readers are encouraged to refer to the relevant issuances, as listed above, as well as to related provisions of the ERC GEOP Rules, WESM Rules, Retail Rules, the WESM Registration Manual, and other relevant market manuals.

PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

I. SWITCHING UNDER GEOP

1. Summary of Notice/Report and Switching Requirements

The table below summarizes the processes before the CRB that are relevant to the GEOP switch. The table refers only to the processes before the CRB and excludes relevant processes that are internal to and involve GEOP Participants and other GEOP service providers.

To guide GEOP participants, the CRB also advises on the information and documents that the CRB will evaluate on the following switch-related requirements. Depending on the evaluation of the switch documents, clarifications, and additional information may be requested to establish compliance. Further details on the procedures and requirements for the identified processes are discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.

PROCESS	REQUIREMENT	WHEN TO SUBMIT	HOW TO SUBMIT	WHO WILL SUBMIT	DETAILS FOR CHECKING
1. Pre-switching Process
a. Conditions under Section 15, ERC GEOP Rules^[1]	Notice of the signed supply contract by the End-User and RE Supplier	at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to start of supply	1. Registered mail addressed to: Registration and Stakeholder Services Division Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines 19F Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City; or 2. Electronic mail sent to: rss.geop@iemop.ph. (Use Subject: GEOP Notice of / Submission of _________)	End-User	a. Notice is submitted at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to start of supply; b. Notice shall at least include the following: i. Contract period; and ii. Name of parties; c. The notices submitted to the CRB in compliance with Section 15 of the ERC GEOP Rules shall be consistent with each other. In case of inconsistency, the CRB shall refer to the agreements, during switch process proper.
	Copies of signed Connection Agreement (CA) or Transmission Service Agreement (TSA), as applicable, and Metering Service Agreement (MSA)	at least thirty (30) days prior to their effectivity		End-User	a. Copies of CA/TSA and MSA are submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to their effectivity; b. Submissions of CA/TSA and MSA that are already effective shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior the intended switch date; c. Copies of CA/TSA and MSA must be completely executed and comply with the minimum elements of ERC GEOP Rules Annex “B-1”; and d. If effectivity dates are not stated on the agreements, formal letter from the counter-parties or the NSP/MSP confirming the effectivity of the agreements must be submitted.
	Notice on the required information regarding the GEOP End- User’s signed contract with the RE Supplier	at least thirty (30) calendar days prior its effectivity		RE Supplier	a. Notice is submitted at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to start of supply; b. Notice shall at least include the following: iii. Contract period; and iv. Name of parties; c. The notices submitted to the CRB in compliance with Section 15 of the ERC GEOP Rules shall be consistent with each other. In case of inconsistency, the CRB shall refer to the agreements, during switch process proper.
	Information of occurrence of any of the Last Resort Supply Events	Upon occurrence, within the hour of discovery	Electronic mail sent to: rss.geop@iemop.ph. (Use Subject: GEOP Notice of / Submission of _________)	RE Supplier	Information on the grounds of the last resort supply event
	GEOP-Qualified End-Users Information	every fifteenth (15th) day of the month	Google form found in this LINK	NSP	Please see guidelines issued on 12 April 2023 through CRB’s email advisory with Subject: [CRB ADVISORY for Retail ]: RCOA and GEOP - Network Service Provider Provision of Customer Information to the CRB, or refer to the publication in the website through this link: Advisory 12 Apr. 2023
b. Submission of GEOP Switch Monitoring File^[2]	GEOP Switch Monitoring File	Every 25th of the month, or on the next working day if it falls on a non-working day	Electronic mail sent to: concerned IEMOP Registration and Stakeholder Services Staff email address/es, and copy furnish rss.geop@iemop.ph (Use Subject: GEOP-Qualified End-Users Switch Monitoring Sheet [RE Supplier Short Name]_[MSP Short Name]_[Switch Date in YYYYMMDD]) Please see Paragraph I(3) below.	RE Supplier	List of GEOP-qualified End-Users for possible switching (initial and regular switch) sent to IEMOP-CRB and the relevant MSP (1 email per MSP per switch date using the template and email Subject prescribed in this IEMOP Bulletin No. 3
2. Switch Request Proper
Submission of Switch Request	Duly accomplished GEOP Switch Request Form (SRF)	at least seven (7) business days^[3] prior to the proposed effective date of the switch	CRSS	Primary RE Supplier^[4] The GEOP End-User, MSP, DU-NSP/SOLR, and/or incumbent RE Supplier or RES shall accomplish the SRF	a. Should be submitted at least seven (7) business days^[5] prior to the proposed effective date of the switch; b. Completely and correctly accomplished; c. All attached certifications/nominations/verifications are duly signed and notarized, as applicable; and d. Signatories in the GEOP SRF and all the attached signed portions are duly supported by proof of authority and entities are authorized to transact under GEOP and/or IEMOP-CRB.
	Nomination and Assignment of Primary RE Supplier executed by concerned GEOP End-User	During switch request	CRSS; Part of GEOP SRF	Primary RE Supplier	a. Submitted during switch request as part of the GEOP SRF; b. Duly signed and signatory is authorized with proof of authority; and c. Confirmed by the assigned Primary Re Supplier.
	All applicable required documents listed in Part H of the GEOP SRF.	at least seven (7) business days^[6] prior to the proposed effective date of the switch	CRSS	Primary RE Supplier	a. Submitted at least seven (7) business days^[7] prior to the proposed effective date of the switch; b. Copy of RE Supply Contract, Wheeling Service Agreement, MSA, CA/TSA indicating the start of supply or agreement effectivity date and the target switch date is within the duration of the contract and agreements; c. If start of supply or effectivity date is not stated on the RE Supply Contract, the counter-parties must submit formal letter confirming such effectivity date; d. If CA/TSA or MSA effectivity date is not stated on the contract, a formal letter from the counter-parties or the NSP/MSP on the effectivity of the agreements must be submitted; e. If MSA provisions are contained in the CA/TSA, a certification jointly or separately signed by both parties indicating such and which portions contain the metering service provisions must be submitted; and f. All other documents are submitted as part of switch request
	Metering Requirements (for initial switch)	During switch request	CRSS	MSP, in coordination with the Primary RE Supplier and End-User	a. Metering requirements, as applicable, should contain consistent details of the End-User; b. Metering documents contain specifications according to metering standards and the duly accomplished Metering Installation Registration Form (MIRF). c. For GEOP End-user, the RMSP shall install a meter capable of registering energy use and demand recorded at 5-minute intervals. Existing metering installation that does not comply with this requirement shall permitted to remain in service subject to the following conditions: i. The meter has a mass memory capable of recording demand on an interval basis and have communication ports for remote and manual data retrieval; ii. The Energy Regulatory Commission has tested or verified and sealed the meter.

2. Pre-switching Requirements: Conditions for Switching

The requirements listed in item 1 (a) of the table above shall be submitted to comply with the conditions for switching set out in Section 15 of ERC GEOP Rules. This shall be submitted prior to submission to the CRB of the GEOP Switch Request. These conditions are listed in the table above (i.e., “Conditions Under Section 15, ERC GEOP Rules”).

3. Pre-Switching Requirements: Submission of GEOP Switch Monitoring File

Submission of GEOP Switch Monitoring File. To submit the GEOP Switch Monitoring File referred to in item 1(b) of the table above, the RE Suppliers shall send a switch monitoring file with the list of GEOP-qualified End-Users for possible switching (initial and regular switch) to IEMOP-CRB and the relevant MSP (1 email per MSP per switch date with Subject: GEOP-Qualified End-Users Switch Monitoring Sheet [RE Supplier Short Name]_[MSP Short Name]_[Switch Date on YYYYMMDD]. Submissions shall be made every 25th day of the month, or on the next business^[8] day if the 25^th day falls on a non-business day. If the switch will not proceed or will be deferred, a new GEOP Switch Monitoring File must be submitted. For easier processing and to ensure that no submissions are missed, each email submission shall cover only one GEOP Switch Monitoring File for the relevant MSP per switch date.
The email submission shall serve as the official notice to both the IEMOP-CRB and the MSP of the list of GEOP-qualified End-Users that are eligible for possible switching.
Assignment and Provision of Grid Off-take Point and SEIN Information. The Switch Monitoring File submitted by the RE Suppliers as mentioned above shall be used as reference by the MSP in providing the Grid Off-Take point/SEIN to IEMOP-CRB and the RE Supplier.Upon receipt of the Grid Off-Take point/SEIN from the MSP, the IEMOP-CRB shall send the designated GEOP Short Name and assigned GEOP SEIN of GEOP-qualified End-Users to the RE Supplier and MSP to be used in their submission of the switch request via the CRSS and in the creation of the electronic Metering Installation Registration Form (MIRF) in the CRSS, respectively.
This guideline on the pre-switching process regarding the submission of the GEOP Switch Monitoring File has been implemented since 27th December 2021.

4. Switch Request Proper

a. Pending system enhancements, IEMOP shall utilize existing modules in the Central Registration and Settlement System (CRSS) that are also used for Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) to facilitate GEOP transactions, as follows:

RE Suppliers shall initially be registered under the Retail Electricity Supplier (RES) or Local RES (LRES) category in the CRSS. RE Suppliers shall be differentiated from other RES through a short-name that is unique for GEOP;
End-Users switching to GEOP shall be initially registered under the Contestable Customer category in the CRSS; and
Switching from a RES/LRES to an RE Supplier and vice-versa shall be processed as a Regular Switch in CRSS, similar to a RES-to-RES transfer for RCOA.

b. Pending the system enhancements of the Central Registration and Settlement System (CRSS) for the electronic-based switching process pursuant to Section 3.5.1.6 of the WESM Registration Manual, the current mode for switching shall, in the meantime, be followed. In addition, the CRB shall continue to accept GEOP switch requests only within the first fifteen (15) calendar days of each month (e.g., between February 1 to 15), which shall be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Switch requests shall be accepted for processing during office hours within this period.^[9]

c. Additionally, registration of Directly Connected Customers (DCCs) participating in the GEOP in the WESM shall only be as Indirect WESM Members to avoid a situation where they will be incurring spot trading amounts, thereby ensuring compliance with the 100% RE sourcing requirement for DCCs.

d. RE Suppliers are likewise required to verify that their bilateral counterparties are all RE Generators and it is compliant with 100% RE sourcing requirement as required under relevant rules and regulations for GEOP.

e. The seven (7) business days^[10] timeline for processing GEOP switch requests according to the ERC GEOP Rules, the Retail Rules, and the Retail Manual on GEOP Procedures will be followed.

5. General Reminders

The CRB shall continue to implement the processes and guidelines in relation to customer switching for the GEOP. In view of this, please note the following general reminders:

1. Ensure that the Basic Conditions for Switching that are required under Section 15 of the ERC GEOP Rules are complied with within the prescribed timeline prior to submission of switch requests. Section 16.1 of the ERC GEOP Rules states that the prospective RE Supplier shall submit a switch request once the basic conditions for switching as stated in Section 15 have been satisfied.

2. Network Service Providers shall submit every fifteenth (15th) day of the month the GEOP-qualified End-Users information with the required details as published in this link: https://www.iemop.ph/geop/geop-advisory-12-apr-23/

3. Day 1 of the GEOP 7-business day Switching Timeline commences only upon submission of switch requests with the complete and compliant documents via the Central Registration and Settlement System (CRSS). Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”

4. Ensure that all the details which are indicated on the switch documents (Switch Request Form (SRF) with nominations, verifications and certifications, proof of authority, copies of contracts and agreements, metering requirements, etc.) are complete and consistent among all requirements including, but not limited to, company name of the parties, signatories of the parties, relevant addresses, contract and agreement details such as effectivity dates covering the end-user, customer threshold level and facility details such as Service ID Number (SIN).

5. Ensure that the GEOP SRF is completely signed by relevant parties, including all the nominations, verifications, and certifications that are attached to it.

6. Ensure that the representatives for GEOP are properly authorized by their respective organizations to register and/or transact under the GEOP and/or with the IEMOP-CRB and their authorization is supported by proof of authority. This also applies to the GEOP SRF and its attachments.

7. Ensure that the copies of the following documents are submitted as part of the switch documents, they contain the names of the relevant parties and it can be determined that they are valid by the switching date and the end-user being switched is covered:

a. RE Supply Contract
b. Wheeling Service Agreement
c. Metering Services Agreement
d. Connection Agreement or Transmission Service Agreement

II. PARTICIPATION IN GEOP

a. New Applicants

DUs/NSPs with end-users under their franchise area that will participate in the GEOP are required to register as Retail Metering Services Providers before the concerned end-users can be switched to GEOP by any registered RE Supplier and shall comply with all the requirements for registration.

b. Existing Registered Participants

Retail Metering Service Providers. Entities that are already registered as Retail Metering Services Providers and have end-users that will participate in the GEOP must update their registration to cover GEOP, including the execution of relevant Market Participation Agreements before the concerned end-users can be switched to GEOP by any registered RE Supplier.

Contestable Customers. For entities that are already registered with the CRB as Contestable Customers in the retail market (i.e., RCOA) but will switch to an RE Supplier as GEOP End User, documents already on file with the CRB and are still valid shall be considered to avoid duplicate submissions. If the documents are no longer valid or have been changed or amended in the meantime, the RE Supplier shall submit the new documents.

Prudential Requirement. The prudential requirements of entities with prior registration with the CRB or WESM Market Operator shall be calculated in accordance with prevailing market rules and manuals. Likewise, the provisions of ERC GEOP Rules and WESM Rules shall apply to the re-calculation of Prudential Requirements of the RES whose customer shifted to a renewable energy supplier (RE supplier).

We wish to clarify that the calculated amount for the Prudential Requirement of a registered RE Supplier is expected to be zero since the WESM exposure of an end-user for switching is also expected to be zero, in line with the objective of ensuring compliance with the 100% RE sourcing requirement for all GEOP end-users. This is because the initial prudential requirement amount is calculated based on projected WESM or spot exposure.

However, it is possible that a registered RE supplier will incur a payable in the WESM for line rental and other charges associated with their Bilateral Contracts declared in the market, among other charges. In view of this, registered RE suppliers with successfully switched/registered GEOP end-users will necessarily have to be issued with a Margin Call Notice starting on the first covered billing month. Should a Margin Call Notice be issued, this may be remedied by a pre-payment or by providing a Prudential Requirement to cover the amount payable.

III. REFERENCES AND INQUIRIES

a. Prescribed Forms and Templates

The table below provides the list of prescribed forms and templates for the implementation of customer switching under GEOP. Copies of these forms and templates are attached to this Bulletin and may also be downloaded at the IEMOP website at https://www.iemop.ph/market-reports/geop-registration-forms-and-templates/.

The GEOP SRF was updated to incorporate the following general changes:

Additional warranties of the signatories to their respective principals for correctness, truthfulness and validity of the GEOP SRF and its attachments as of the date of submission;
Clerical edit and deleted Service ID No. in the B. Switch Details;
Deleted facsimile in C. Contract Parties Confirmation;
Deleted Contract Level/Volume in D. GEOP Supply Contract Information;
Clerical edit in E. Previous Retail/GEOP Supply Arrangement/s;
Clerical edit in H. Documents Submitted;
Replaced the “principal business address” with “facility address” of GEOP End-user and added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” in the first paragraph of J. NOMINATION OF PRIMARY RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPLIER;
Added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” of the End-user under item no. 2 of K. VERIFICATION BY THE RE SUPPLIER;
Added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” of the End-user in the second paragraph of L. CERTIFICATION BY RE SUPPLIER;
Replaced the “principal business address” with “facility address” of GEOP End-user and added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” in the first paragraph of M. CERTIFICATION BY GEOP END-USER;
Added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” of the End-user in the first paragraph of N. CERTIFICATION BY METERING SERVICE PROVIDER;
Added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” of the End-user in item no. 2 and revised to checkbox format the options under item 2.a.ii of O. CERTIFICATION BY NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDER; and,
Added the phrase “with SEIN ____ and SIN _____” of the End-user in item no. 2 of P. CERTIFICATION BY INCUMBENT SUPPLIER (FOR REGULAR SWITCH).

REQUIREMENT	ISSUING PARTY	PRESCRIBED TEMPLATE TITLE
1. Pre-switch Submission of GEOP Switch Monitoring File
GEOP Switch Monitoring File	Primary RE Supplier	M-TOD.A04.TMP_.18-GEOP-Qualified-End-Users-Switch-Monitoring-Sheet_RE-Supplier-Short-Name_MSP-Short-Name_Switch-Date-in-YYYYMMDD.xls
2. Switch Request Proper
Nomination and Assignment of Primary RE Supplier executed by concerned GEOP End-User	End-User	(Part J of the GEOP Switch Request Form) N-TOD.A04.TMP_.16-GEOP-Switch-Request-Form-Version-3-final.docx
GEOP Switch Request Form (SRF)	Primary RE Supplier	N-TOD.A04.TMP_.16-GEOP-Switch-Request-Form-Version-3-final.docx
Proof of authority of Primary RE Supplier's representative and Main Contact Person	Primary RE Supplier	C-Secretary-Certificate-RE-Supplier-Version 2.docx
Proof of authority of End-User's representative	End-User	O-1-TOD.A04.TMP_.14-Secretary-Certificate-GEOP-End-User-Version 2.docx O-2-TOD.A04.TMP_.15-SPA-GEOP-End-User.docx
Proof of authority of RMSP’s representative	RMSP	G-Secretary-Certificate-RMSP.docx
Proof of authority of DU/NSP’s representative	DU/NSP	P-TOD.A04.TMP_.19-Secretary-Certificate-NSP.docx
Proof of authority of Incumbent Supplier’s representative	Incumbent Supplier	Q-TOD.A04.TMP_.20-Secretary-Certificate-Incumbent-Supplier.docx
Secretary's Certificate / Board Resolution authorizing participation in the WESM as Indirect Member or authorizing change in participation from Direct to Indirect WESM Membership, and designating signatories	Grid-connected End-User	R-TOD.A04.TMP_.13-Secretary-Certificate-Grid-End-User-for-Indirect-WESM-Membership.docx
GEOP Counterparty Confirmation Form	Grid-connected End-User	S-TOD.A04.TMP_.17-GEOP-Counterparty-Confirmation-Form.docx

The revised GEOP SRF may now be utilized for future switches. The old GEOP SRF for customer switching under GEOP shall still be accepted for switch dates until 25 January 2024 only.

Copies of the GEOP SRF and other forms and templates may also be downloaded at the IEMOP website at https://www.iemop.ph/geop/ and https://www.iemop.ph/market-reports/geop-registration-forms-and-templates/

b. References

Copies of DOE Department Circular No. DC2023-01-0004, ERC GEOP Rules, RCOA-GEOPP Manual, DOE DC2018-07-0019, and DOE DC2020-04-0009 are attached to this Bulletin.

c. Data Privacy Policy

IEMOP processes relevant personal information in accordance with its data privacy policy. IEMOP’s Privacy Notice may be viewed or downloaded via https://www.iemop.ph/about/legal-and-privacy/.

d. Inquiries

Inquiries may be directed to IEMOP Central Ticketing System at https://cts.iemop.ph/

Download Here:

C Secretary Certificate RE Supplier Version 2
G Secretary Certificate RMSP
M TOD.A04.TMP.18 GEOP-Qualified End-Users Switch Monitoring Sheet_RE Supplier Short Name_MSP Short Name_Switch Date in YYYYMMDD
N TOD.A04.TMP_.16-GEOP-Switch-Request-Form Version 3 final
O-1 TOD.A04.TMP.14 Secretary Certificate GEOP End-User
O-2 TOD.A04.TMP.15 SPA GEOP End-User Version 2
P TOD.A04.TMP.19 Secretary Certificate NSP
Q TOD.A04.TMP.20 Secretary Certificate Incumbent Supplier
R TOD.A04.TMP.13 Secretary Certificate Grid End-User for Indirect WESM Membership
S TOD.A04.TMP.17 GEOP Counterparty Confirmation Form

References:

DOE DC2018-07-0019
DOE DC2020-04-0009
DOE DC2023-01-0004
RCOA-GEOPP-1.0_26Feb2023_(DC2023-01-0004_GEOP)_fin
Resolution No. 08 Series of 2021-AnnexA2020-005RM-GEOP

[1] Please see Section 15, ERC GEOP Rules, for the complete details.
[2] For the determination of Grid Off-Take Point of End-Users and designation of GEOP SEIN and GEOP Short Name to be used for GEOP Switch Requests.
[3] Please see Section 16 in relation with Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules which defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”
[4] Section 3(oo) of the ERC GEOP Rules defines Primary RE Supplier as “The RE Supplier nominated by the GEOP End-User, in writing, as the single point of contact for the CRB, the Network Service Providers and all other service providers.”
[5] Please see Section 16 in relation with Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules which defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”
[6] Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”
[7] Section 3(b) of the ERC GEOP Rules defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”
[8] Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules which defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”
[9] This means that submissions in the CRSS time-stamped after 5:00 p.m. of a business day, or on a non-business day, will be considered as filed on the following business day.
[10] Section 3 (Definition of Terms) of the ERC GEOP Rules defines Business Day as “A day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or an official or declared Philippine national or local public holiday.”