Consumers Demand “Immediate Relief” from Skyrocketing Power Rates as Congress Revisits EPIRA Law

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Metro Manila — Mounting frustration over persistently high electricity bills has reached Congress as consumer welfare group Kuryente.org passionately called on lawmakers to provide “immediate relief” to the public amid ongoing discussions to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) — a law that has long shaped the country’s energy landscape.

During a House Committee on Energy hearing, Bas Umali, National Coordinator of Kuryente.org, delivered a sobering message: ordinary Filipinos continue to bear the brunt of escalating power costs without ever feeling the benefits promised when EPIRA was first enacted in 2001.

“Sana mayroon ding road map ang Energy Regulatory Commission para pababain ‘yung presyo ng kuryente,” Umali urged lawmakers. “Ang kailangan namin ay immediate relief kasi sa mahabang panahon na naisabatas ‘yung EPIRA na ina-amend natin ngayon, hindi nakaranas ang consumers ng mababang presyo.”

(We hope the Energy Regulatory Commission will also have a roadmap to lower electricity rates. What we need is immediate relief because since EPIRA was enacted, consumers have never experienced affordable electricity.)

Two Decades Later, Still Waiting for Affordable Power

When EPIRA was passed more than two decades ago, it was envisioned to encourage competition, privatize the power sector, and ultimately lower electricity rates. However, consumers argue that the opposite happened — electricity in the Philippines remains among the most expensive in Asia, burdening households and small businesses alike.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), tasked with ensuring fair power pricing, has repeatedly faced criticism for failing to rein in the rising cost of electricity — a problem worsened by global fuel fluctuations, foreign exchange volatility, and the continued dependence on imported energy sources.

Just this week, Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, confirmed another expected generation charge hike, citing the weakening peso and higher procurement costs. This marks at least the fifth increase in power rates this year, further straining Filipino families already grappling with inflation and stagnant wages.

Consumers Want a Seat at the Table

Beyond demanding cheaper electricity, Kuryente.org is also calling for greater consumer participation in shaping energy policy — a move they believe would bring transparency, fairness, and accountability to a system often dominated by large corporations and private interest groups.

“Isa sa pangunahing adbokasiya namin ay ang pagkakaroon ng participation ng mga consumers sa iba’t ibang processes sa energy sector, katulad ng pagpaplano ng legislation,” said Umali.

(One of our main advocacies is ensuring consumer participation in the various processes of the energy sector, including legislative planning.)

This appeal reflects a broader public sentiment — that the people most affected by power policies are too often excluded from decisions that directly impact their livelihoods.

Proposed Measures for Relief

Kuryente.org has consistently proposed tangible reforms to lessen the burden of high power costs, including:

Removal or reduction of the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) on electricity;

Review of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (Fit-All) and other universal charges;

Transparent auditing of generation and transmission costs; and

Promotion of renewable and locally-sourced energy to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

These proposals, according to the group, are not mere short-term remedies but part of a broader vision to make energy a basic right, not a luxury.

A Defining Moment for Energy Reform

As Congress deliberates the amendments to EPIRA, all eyes are now on lawmakers and regulators to deliver meaningful change — not just promises. For millions of Filipino consumers, “immediate relief” means more than policy adjustments; it means being able to turn on the lights without fear of another budget-breaking bill.

The challenge before the government is clear: to finally fulfill the decades-old promise of affordable, reliable, and inclusive energy for all. Anything less, critics say, would be another betrayal of the Filipino people’s trust in reform.

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