Manila, June 10 -- Energy regulators across Southeast Asia on Wednesday moved closer to establishing integrated energy systems as member states reaffirmed their strong support for deeper collaboration during the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Energy Regulators Network (AERN) Meeting.

Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and CEO Francis Saturnino Juan, who serves as the AERN chair for 2026-2027, noted that mounting pressures such as fuel market volatility, supply disruptions, and geopolitical shifts continue to strain energy systems across the region.

"In the Philippines, we have just declared a state of national energy emergency, and behind that declaration are industries that cannot afford to slow down,...