Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Electricity is no longer just a commodity—it is the very lifeblood of modern living. Every flick of a switch, every hum of a machine, and every click of a device depends on power. Yet for millions of Filipino households, that power comes at a price so steep it bleeds through their daily survival. Our electricity rates are among the highest in Southeast Asia, and while policymakers boast of reforms designed to safeguard fairness, consumers remain shackled to bills that keep rising.
At the center of this tension is the Competitive Selection Process (CSP)—the supposed guardian of fairness and efficiency in energy procurement. Designed to ensure that the least-cost provider wins in the bidding process, the CSP is meant to shield consumers from exorbitant pricing. Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chief Francis Saturnino Juan emphasizes that the ERC is committed to upholding a “genuine CSP,” with its ultimate mission being the establishment of a fair process, prudent costs, and ideally, competitive prices.
In theory, this sounds reassuring. In reality, consumers continue to pay dearly.
The Paradox of “Fairness”
A fair process does not necessarily equate to lower prices. Filipinos are painfully aware of this contradiction. Despite the CSP, electricity costs remain punishing. This begs the uncomfortable question: If the system is working, why are rates still soaring?
Skepticism lingers that the CSP may be tilted—whether subtly or overtly—toward ensuring investor confidence rather than easing consumer burden. When the rhetoric of “balance” is invoked, consumers fear that the scales are tipped against them. After all, what is fairness worth if it translates into policies that make survival harder for ordinary families?
Market Forces: Friend or Foe?
Former Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla was right to point out that the government has no control over imported inputs like oil and coal. Global volatility drives costs up, and with every surge in world prices, Filipino consumers absorb the blow. But should the market’s unpredictable swings be allowed to dictate the everyday lives of millions?
The market may be efficient for investors, but for ordinary citizens, it often feels merciless. In a sector as vital as energy, leaving consumers at the mercy of market forces is not just unsustainable—it is unjust.
Why Immediate Relief Eludes Us
The ERC and DOE cannot claim ignorance of this reality. They know the pain that Filipino households endure with every billing cycle. Yet the pace of reform remains glacial. The government has been generous in its incentives for investors, offering tax perks and guarantees. But where is the same commitment to consumers?
Why are ordinary Filipinos not receiving relief through the removal—or at least reduction—of burdensome charges like the Expanded VAT (E-VAT), the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (Fit-All), and Universal Charges? Why must consumers carry the weight of inefficiencies and pass-through provisions that benefit corporations at their expense?
If the legislature truly seeks to protect the people, then amending these provisions should be a priority. Energy is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
A Call for Consumer-Centered Energy Policy
This is why Kuryente.org, a consumer welfare organization, continues to champion transparency, accountability, and good governance in the energy sector. Their mission is clear: to uphold the rights of every Filipino to sustainable, accessible, reliable, and affordable electricity.
Because at the heart of this struggle lies a simple truth—consumers are not just numbers on a bill. They are families trying to make ends meet, students studying by dim light, and workers powering tools of survival. Protecting them should not be an afterthought. It should be the system’s very foundation.
The Verdict
So, can we really trust the market to protect consumers? The evidence says otherwise. The market does not have a conscience. Its loyalty lies with profit, not people. That is why regulators, legislators, and policymakers must step up—not as spectators of a broken process, but as defenders of the public good.
Until reforms are bold enough to cut unnecessary costs, remove unjust pass-through charges, and prioritize affordability over profit margins, Filipino consumers will remain trapped in an endless cycle of paying more for less.
And that is a reality we can no longer afford to ignore.
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Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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