ICSC delves into PHL energy emergency: Renewables are key to transforming country’s energy system from import dependence
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities ANALYSIS QUEZON CITY, 30 March 2026 – The Philippines’ declaration of a national energy emergency under Executive Order No. 110 highlights a long-standing reality that can no longer be ignored: heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels exposes the country to global supply and fuel price volatility. The situation also puts the spotlight on the clear and massive opportunity to transform the energy system for our archipelago with locally driven, fit-for-purpose solutions that optimize the abundance of renewable energy (RE) resources with available technology, building a more affordable, reliable, and secure power system for [...]
Qatar LNG disruption exposes risks of fossil fuel reliance to PHL energy security
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE QUEZON CITY, 20 March 2026 — Rising tensions in the Middle East have caused extensive damage and have disrupted operations of Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub. For the Philippines, this can potentially result in higher electricity prices and supply issues both in the short and long term, highlighting the country's heavy reliance on imported fuel. LNG is traded in a highly interconnected global market where prices respond to geopolitical shocks, supply chain disruptions, seasonal demand swings, and policy [...]
Women Who Empower More Than Homes
Women Who Empower More Than Homes By Sanafe Marcelo In the small island community of Sulu-an in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, there is only eight hours of electricity that the island can use each day. The lights go out once the clock strikes midnight, and the community must wait until four in the afternoon to use them again. The lack of access to electricity affects many aspects of their daily lives, from household routines, livelihood, to education and healthcare. Yet during our visit, what stood out to me was not the limitation, but the women [...]
New interventions launched for a just, ecologically safe PHL renewable energy transition [REI Philippines]
DOWNLOAD PDF MAKATI CITY, 19 March 2026: The Responsible Energy Initiative Philippines (‘REI Philippines’) officially unveiled six prototype interventions that aim to address barriers in the Philippines’ renewable energy (RE) transition and empower businesses in the RE sector with new ways of doing business—ensuing the transition occurs in an ecologically safe, rights-respecting and socially just manner. A total of 120 representatives from industry, finance, civil society, and national government agencies attended the high-level multi-stakeholder forum organized by REI Philippines today at the AIM Conference Centre (ACC) in Makati City. “A successful energy transition must recognize people’s importance while boosting productivity and reducing emissions. It is as much a social and economic challenge as an environmental one,” said Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh [...]
Eastern Visayas LGUs, ICSC ink partnerships to accelerate local energy transition
TACLOBAN CITY, 20 February 2026 – Local chief executives from across Eastern Visayas formalized their commitment to advance the energy transition in their localities, by developing Local Energy Plans and enacting Renewable Energy (RE) Ordinances that will enable access to cleaner, more affordable, and reliable power for communities in the region. Eastern Visayas has constantly experienced a lack of access to reliable and sustainable energy, which historically affected the operations of health facilities, communications networks, and educational services in the region. In addition, despite its capacity to house renewable energy plants such as solar and geothermal, Eastern Visayas has [...]