Wazzup Pilipinas!?
As the winds of change sweep through Malacañang with a dramatic Cabinet reshuffle, a wave of discontent surges from the ground up. At the heart of the unrest stands Kuryente.org, a staunch advocate for Filipino energy consumers, demanding bold and immediate action from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to rein in spiraling power prices that continue to burden millions of households nationwide.
The group’s resounding message comes on the heels of a pivotal shift—former Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla’s reassignment to helm the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. While the President reshuffles his leadership to recalibrate national priorities, Kuryente.org declares it is high time for a full-blown overhaul of energy policy—one that prioritizes people over profit.
“Mr. President, we would like to inform you that we consumers are not satisfied with the former DOE Secretary’s performance,” declares Bas Umali, National Coordinator of Kuryente.org. “He failed to address the recurring red and yellow alerts that torment us every dry season and failed even more miserably to lower our electricity bills.”
With Sharon Garin stepping in as the DOE Officer-in-Charge, all eyes are now on how she will navigate this critical juncture. For Kuryente.org, Garin’s brief stewardship must not be treated as a mere placeholder. Instead, it should serve as a turning point—setting the tone for lasting, people-centered reforms in the energy sector.
A Call for Reform, a Plea for Relief
At the core of Kuryente.org’s demands lies a simple yet powerful conviction: electricity is not a luxury—it is a basic human right. The group is urging Garin to zero in on longstanding issues surrounding pricing transparency, power reliability, and equitable access. The nation’s poorest communities suffer the most under the current system, where energy policy often seems detached from the struggles of ordinary Filipinos.
Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), the DOE is duty-bound to uphold energy security and ensure the affordability of electricity. But for many, that promise remains unfulfilled.
“The law means nothing if the people it is supposed to protect are left in the dark—literally and figuratively,” Umali said. “We need Garin to champion consumer participation in energy regulation and pricing. We need clear, inclusive roadmaps toward renewable energy adoption.”
Kuryente.org envisions a future where communities are not just passive recipients of power, but active participants in shaping the energy landscape. That means opening doors for public input in policy decisions, ensuring that pricing reflects fairness rather than corporate interests, and forging partnerships that empower local renewable energy solutions.
Who Will Lead the Charge?
With the DOE leadership seat still in flux, Kuryente.org calls on President Marcos to appoint a new Secretary who embodies integrity, competence, and an unwavering commitment to consumer protection.
“The next Energy Secretary must be more than a technocrat,” Umali emphasized. “We need a leader who understands that energy justice isn’t about pleasing stakeholders in boardrooms—it’s about listening to the cries of families who are choosing between paying their bills or putting food on the table.”
This is more than a political appointment—it is a decision that will define the country’s energy future. Kuryente.org insists that the new DOE head must be ready to engage in real, meaningful dialogue with all sectors of society. They must have a track record of transparency, not ties to vested interests. And above all, they must put Filipino consumers first.
“Electricity prices today are anything but reasonable,” Umali said. “This transition must be seized as an opportunity to affirm that energy is not merely a commodity—it is a public right that demands stronger protection.”
An Unfinished Fight
The Cabinet reshuffle may have opened a door, but what lies beyond remains uncertain. As President Marcos recalibrates his administration’s goals, groups like Kuryente.org are stepping up to ensure the Filipino people do not remain voiceless in the nation’s energy story.
Because at the heart of this power struggle isn’t just the issue of electricity—it’s the daily lives of millions whose dignity depends on it.
Kuryente.org is a consumer welfare organization advocating transparency, accountability, and good governance in the energy sector. Their mission is to protect the Filipino people's right to sustainable, accessible, reliable, and affordable electricity.
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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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