EPT goes to Iloilo: Learning from the Philippines’ solar pioneers
by Rebecca Carmela Cruz Editor’s Note: Becca Cruz is a Senior Data Analyst with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. Last February 12, our Energy Policy Team—the coolest team ever—joined Iloilo Provincial Board Member Rolando Distura on a ‘Lakbay Aral’ across Iloilo to witness firsthand its remarkable solar projects and initiatives. These efforts were among the key reasons the province was recognized as the pioneer and sole awardee of the Sustainable Awards for the Local Government Unit Category in December last year. True enough, we saw how solar energy is being utilized to improve lives, providing local communities [...]
A rational energy policy for the Philippines [Inquirer]
by Alberto Dalusung III | March 21, 2025 | Published by Philippine Daily Inquirer | READ THE STORY HERE Energy is the backbone of economic growth and social progress. Yet, the Philippines faces a defining moment in its power trajectory—where rising electricity costs, recurring power shortages, and an outdated, baseload-centric grid threaten national stability and development. The choices we make today will determine whether we’d continue to struggle with an inefficient system, or embrace a future of clean, affordable, reliable, and secure energy. The energy trilemma presents a framework of three fundamental objectives that energy policymakers should balance: sustainability, [...]
National and local leaders push for climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY, May 17, 2024 – Officials and representatives from national government agencies and local government units, policymakers, civil society, academia, and the private sector have committed to working together in advancing climate-resilient development in Eastern Visayas. Organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the Eastern Visayas Summit on Climate-Resilient Development, held from May 14-15 in Tacloban City, brought together stakeholders from across the region to develop community-responsive strategies and implementation plans for inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient solutions. “Eastern Visayas has long been at the frontline of climate impacts, from devastating tropical cyclones to rising sea [...]
ICSC: Panay blackouts signal urgent need to reevaluate the island’s energy system
QUEZON CITY, January 11, 2024 – Residents of Panay, the sixth largest island in the Philippines covering the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, and parts of Guimaras experienced large-scale blackouts from January 2 to 5 caused by the tripping of major coal-fired power plants. Local governments and business groups from Panay and Guimaras islands have called for an investigation, demanding accountability from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Department of Energy (DOE), and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to address the incident. At the Senate energy committee hearing on January 10, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas [...]
ICSC dives deeper into SONA 2023: PHL energy, dev’t plans require transparency and concrete data
QUEZON CITY, July 28, 2023 – The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) called for clarity and urgency in implementing the government’s development plans in its response to the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) made by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Monday, July 24. Given that the President highlighted developments in the country’s energy sector, Atty. Pedro H. Maniego Jr., Senior Policy Advisor of ICSC dives deeper into this year’s SONA.