Consumers Demand Clarity: Kuryente.org Challenges DOE to Walk the Talk on Power Rates

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In a bold and unwavering call for accountability, electricity consumer welfare group Kuryente.org is demanding full transparency and meaningful public consultation from the Department of Energy (DOE), as the agency claims to be laying the “groundwork” for lower power rates in the near future.

This comes after DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin, in a June 13 press conference, urged Filipino electricity consumers to be “patient” while citing the efforts of former Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla in supposedly initiating strategic reforms aimed at reducing electricity prices.

But for millions of Filipinos burdened by exorbitant electric bills month after month, patience is no longer a virtue—it’s a luxury.

“We’re glad they say they’re doing something,” said Kuryente.org National Coordinator Bas Umali, “but what’s the use of having all the expertise, resources, and authority if results never come?”

Umali stressed that Filipino consumers have been waiting for over two decades for meaningful change in energy pricing. He criticized the DOE for continuously issuing vague promises and “motherhood statements” without providing concrete plans, clear timelines, or genuine public engagement.

“Madam Usec. Garin,” Umali declared, “it’s been more than 20 years of waiting. Don’t just ask us to stay patient—make us part of the process. We are the ones paying. We deserve more than platitudes; we deserve power over our power.”

Kuryente.org asserts that consumers must not only be informed but included in all consultations, as their voices represent the largest and most affected sector of the energy system. The group believes that direct public involvement can yield practical insights and alternatives overlooked by technocrats and policymakers.

Adding to their frustrations, the group also questioned whether the DOE is acting according to the government’s timeline—or the people’s urgent needs. According to Umali, one immediate relief the DOE could push is removing the 11.7% tax from electricity bills, a move that could provide instant savings for households.

“The DOE keeps telling us to wait for the future,” Umali continued, “but how much longer must we endure? Why aren’t they maximizing every possible tool now to ease the burden?”

In a country where electricity rates remain among the highest in Southeast Asia, Kuryente.org is making it clear: vague promises won’t cut it. The time for backroom negotiations and unilateral decisions is over. What consumers demand now is transparency, urgency, and a seat at the table.

As the DOE paints a picture of a brighter, more affordable energy future, Filipino consumers are asking a simple question: “When will that future finally begin—and will we have a say in shaping it?”

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