SONA 2026: ICSC welcomes renewable energy push, calls for evidence-based energy decisions and stronger consumer protection
Following the release of their institutional statement, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) delves deeper in the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA). The organization welcomes President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recognition of the role of renewable energy and energy storage systems in strengthening the country’s energy security. The addition of new renewable energy facilities and storage capacity reflects progress in harnessing the Philippines’ indigenous energy resources and reducing reliance on imported fuels. As the country expands these investments, it is important to ensure that energy policies and investments deliver the benefits of an affordable, reliable, and [...]
SONA 2026: Sariling Kuryente must mean affordable rooftop solar for every filipino [Sayang Ang Araw]
Official Statement of the Sayang ang Araw, Gawing Mura ang Solar Campaign on the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. With electricity prices continuing to burden Filipino consumers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for the passage of the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act is an affirmation of the sentiments expressed by more than majority of Filipinos that scaling rooftop solar is a practical, affordable, and resilient energy solution. Making rooftop solar more accessible to Filipino households is an important step toward giving consumers greater control over their electricity costs. However, legislation alone will not [...]
ICSC reacts to 5th SONA: Promising developments underway, but do not lose sight of climate action and resilience
QUEZON CITY, 28 July 2026 – Responding to the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said: “In this year’s SONA, President Marcos was firm: the welfare of Filipinos is his top priority, as it should be. Over the last year, the Philippines faced significant economic challenges, with the energy crisis directly impacting the costs of services, from transportation to electricity, even food. We appreciate the updates on the country’s immediate response the past few months, however, what our [...]
Grid alerts, high WESM prices signal need for power system flexibility
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE QUEZON CITY, 01 June 2026 –– The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) emphasized that recurring grid alerts and sustained high prices in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) point to a fundamental gap in the Philippine power system: the lack of flexible generation capacity. Throughout May 2026, grid alerts have been repeatedly raised across Luzon and the Visayas, with multiple instances of yellow and red alerts declared due to thin operating reserves. These alerts have, at times, necessitated rotational blackouts in multiple areas across the country to keep the [...]
Moving Together Towards Sustainable Urban Mobility
by Beau Baconguis EDITOR'S NOTE: Beau Baconguis is a Member of ICSC's Board of Trustees. She delivered this speech during the two-day event Move Together: Regional Exchange and Workshop on Sustainable Urban Mobility and Placemaking in Southeast Asia, held from May 22-23, 2026. Good morning everyone! I am so excited to welcome you all to the #MOVETOGETHER Regional Exchange and Workshop on Sustainable Urban Mobility and Placemaking in Southeast Asia. I heard you had a really productive discussion and sharing yesterday. I am sorry that I missed that part but we have two more days of sharing and I [...]