WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), declares the policy of the State to: (i) ensure and accelerate the total electrification of the country; (ii)  ensure the quality, reliability, security, and affordability of the supply of electric power; (iii) enhance the inflow of private capital and broaden the ownership base of the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors; and (iv) encourage the efficient use of energy and other modalities of demand-side management;