Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities
PRESS RELEASE

QUEZON CITY, 29 April 2026 – Power procurement strategies of distribution utilities (DUs) and electric cooperatives (ECs), particularly the energy source they rely on, are a key driver of varying and volatile electricity prices in the country, according to the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) as it launched the Power Rates and Energy Supply Overview for the Philippines (PRESYO-PH) yesterday.

PRESYO-PH is a first-of-its-kind data platform designed to enhance transparency on the true drivers of electricity prices, improve public understanding of where electricity comes from, and how power costs are structured and change over time. The platform integrates pricing data from more than 150 DUs and ECs nationwide, alongside detailed insights into their respective energy sources.

ICSC, represented by its Chief Data Scientist Jephraim Manansala and Data Analyst Miguel Joachim Balburias, introduced PRESYO-PH through a live demonstration of its key features.

“Generation rates and how important they are are not understood by most people,” noted Balburias. “That’s why it’s important to release tools like PRESYO-PH, to bridge that gap, especially for the common Filipinos.”

In the Philippines, volatile electricity prices continue to strain households and businesses. Consumers and enterprises alike bear the brunt of fluctuations in power rates—yet the drivers of these changes are not widely understood by the public. 

“Electricity prices are one of the most immediate and tangible ways that Filipinos experience the energy sector,” stated ICSC Director for Energy Policy Romil Hernandez. “Behind these prices is a complex system shaped by power procurement decisions, global fuel markets, regulatory processes, and increasingly, the country’s evolving energy mix.”

Global fuel supply disruptions brought by the US-Israel war on Iran have led to the increase of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices in the world market. During the event’s panel discussion, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan cited the suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) as a measure to prevent major spikes in prices. He added that ERC requires DUs and ECs to submit detailed reports on increases in generation costs to ensure proper and timely regulation. 

By consolidating and visualizing information on electricity rates across the country, PRESYO-PH allows consumers to examine why electricity prices vary, and how they evolve over time. The platform also breaks down generation rates and supply mix contributing to electricity rates to help the public analyze the country’s energy supply portfolio.

Department of Energy Renewable Energy Management Bureau (DOE-REMB) Director IV Atty. Marissa Cerezo emphasized the need to develop a balanced mix of energy sources to meet the country’s power demands. “We are still an importer when it comes to energy; hindi pa rin tayo fully independent. Mayroon pa ring imports. But what is the best mix for us to get the best price– that’s the question,” she said.

Meanwhile, Research Lead Sam Reynolds from the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) highlighted the country’s dependence on an inflexible, centralized power system as a key factor in the Philippines’ vulnerability to global market prices. “On paper, the Philippines has nearly 28,000 megawatts (MW) of dependable power, and a peak demand (in 2025) of about 19,000MW. In theory, there should be plenty of power,” he stressed. “The issue is a lack of flexibility.”

Manansala also underscored the importance of DUs and ECs prioritizing the diversification of generation sources to ensure stability and affordability of electricity rates: “Diversification provides a balanced approach to manage the risks attributed to generation sources.” Manansala noted, renewable energy sources are largely stable compared to imported fuel sources, and can provide affordable and stable prices, despite having limited available capacity. 

ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said PRESYO-PH aims to empower stakeholders with knowledge that is both practical and relevant by shedding light on where electricity comes from– whether coal, natural gas, or renewable energy.

“PRESYO-PH strengthens transparency in the power sector and provides a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers, and consumers alike to better understand the relationship between energy supply and electricity pricing. We hope that available evidence will be better utilized to make well-informed decisions that will shape the country’s power system, and ensure a more transparent, sustainable, and equitable energy future for the Philippines,” he added. 

ABOUT
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities is a Philippine-based non-governmental organization that advances climate, energy, and low-carbon solutions to enable fair and climate-resilient development at the national and international levels.

To learn more about PRESYO-PH, visit https://presyo.icsc.ngo/

PHOTOS
Photos (c) ICSC

CONTACTS
Sanaf Marcelo, ICSC: media@icsc.ngo, +63 968 886 3466, +63 917 149 5649
Pauline Alvarez, ICSC: media@icsc.ngo, +63 999 338 9414

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