2022 PEOPLE’S ELECTORAL AGENDA: TOWARDS A MORE PROGRESSIVE AND TRANSPARENT PHILIPPINE ENERGY INDUSTRY

2022 PEOPLE’S ELECTORAL AGENDA: TOWARDS A MORE PROGRESSIVE AND TRANSPARENT PHILIPPINE ENERGY INDUSTRY

We ask our 2022 national election candidates to signify their commitment to the Filipino electricity consumers by signing the People’s Electoral Agenda.

As consumers of electricity in the Philippines, we have come together to challenge our 2022 national election candidates to make a public commitment that once seated in office they will uphold the welfare of the Filipino electricity consumers by providing efficient, adequate, and transparent energy services—that will translate to lower electricity rates across the country.

Philippine electricity prices are the highest in Southeast Asia at roughly US$0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or Php 10 per kWh. Except for a few, small innovative interventions, competition in the energy sector is still poor. Lack of transparency, lack of genuine competition and support from the government, and corruption have hampered the country’s competitiveness and progress compared to other Asian countries.

 High electricity costs are a burden to Filipinos. A sizable portion of a family’s income, that can be spent on food and other daily necessities, go to exorbitant monthly electric bills. Until when will the Filipinos carry this burden? 

We are calling for a more inclusive, transparent, and progressive energy sector where consumers are represented in all levels of decision-making of key government regulatory bodies, such as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Electricity issues affect us all, we are all consumers of it. Therefore, it is but appropriate to have the voice of consumers during critical policy-making processes that will consequently affect them. 

Below is a three-point people’s electoral agenda. We are calling on our 2022 national election candidates to commit to the following now and make true to their commitment once elected to office. 

1. Enforce radical changes through consumer representation in the energy sector that will alleviate consumers from the burden of high electricity costs. 

2. Hold consumer welfare at the center of the energy sector by reviewing and out-rightly rejecting all proposals that do not champion consumer welfare and sustainable development. 

3. Create a more transparent and accountable energy sector that promotes consumer participation in all levels of key government decision-making. 

We are at a turning point in Philippine history where we face some of the most trying circumstances. We appeal to our candidates running for office to unite with the Filipino people towards a more progressive energy sector. Let us challenge our inefficient system that has kept this country disempowered for decades. 

We, together with Kuryente.org, ask you to sign your name at the end of this agenda as a sign of your wholehearted commitment. We can only do this if we do it together. 

Signed:

Nic Satur Jr 
National Coordinator
 Kuryente.org 
UNSDG Advocate