Approaching waste management sustainably through community-led climate action
by Jessa Margallo-Zosa Editor’s Note: Jessa currently serves as the RE-Charge Pilipinas Facility Coordinator at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, based in the organization’s regional office in Tacloban City, Leyte. I just returned to Tacloban City from my first international trip to Thai Nguyen, Vietnam where I participated as a delegate to the Thai Nguyen International Climate Change Conference, held October 14-15, 2025 at the Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry (TUAF). The event convened over 150 participants from local and international organizations, scientists, environmental experts, and members of the academe. This was organized by Brot [...]
The Road to Renewables: Turning Vision into Local Action
By Mel Matthew Doctor Note: Mel currently serves as the Senior Campaign Officer for Energy Policy at the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, and was acting project lead of the 2025 Road to Renewables: Conversations on Energy Transition Roadshow. During one of the focus group discussions in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, one participant said, “Energy is not just about power—it is about opportunity, resilience, and the future we choose to build for our communities.” This quote struck me during the roadshow because the energy transition is not just policy—it is about real change in people’s lives. Across the [...]
Siquijor’s Power Crisis: A Call for Localized Renewable Solutions
The ongoing power crisis in Siquijor clearly shows the risks of depending on just one centralized fossil fuel-based energy source. As an off-grid island, the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (PROSIELCO) depends solely on the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR), a diesel power plant operator with a 20-year power supply contract. This left Siquijor fully dependent on one company’s operation and planning. Even with multiple diesel generators, it still failed to meet demand starting in May 2025, leaving the island without enough power during a critical time. However, it doesn't have to be this way, as other off-grid islands [...]
Empowering Energy Information Access: Launch of the REACH Platform and PEI Compendium of Distributed RE Projects
To support accessible, transparent, and comprehensive data on energy initiatives in the Philippines, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) and the Preferred Energy, Inc. launched two resources on April 4, 2025 in Quezon City: the Regional Energy and Climate Hub (REACH) Energy Transition Tracker and the Compendium of Distributed Renewable Energy Systems (DRES) in the Philippines. Tracking progress and identifying opportunities The REACH Energy Transition Tracker is a digital platform offering a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy landscape. Designed as a centralized resource, it allows users to access, explore, and analyze data on the Philippines' energy [...]
Tight power supply expected in Luzon and Visayas this June, while Mindanao reserves will remain normal in Q2
QUEZON CITY, April 3, 2025 – The Luzon and Visayas grids are expected to experience scarcer power reserves in June this year, while the Mindanao grid is projected to maintain normal reserves this summer and is capable of exporting power as a larger supply is available. That said, the Visayas grid can maintain normal reserves in the second quarter of 2025, but is completely dependent on imports from Luzon and Mindanao. In the report entitled “Philippine Power Outlook: Reviewing the Adequacy of Power Supply from April to June 2025” launched today, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) [...]