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 [...]
Alangalang becomes the first Leyte town to chart a renewable energy future through a roadmap workshop
Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities PRESS RELEASE TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, July 8, 2026 — The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), in partnership with the Municipality of Alangalang, Leyte, conducted the Renewable Energy (RE) Roadmap Scoping Workshop from June 22 to 25. This positions Alangalang as the first local government unit (LGU) in the province to develop a roadmap aimed at strengthening local energy security and accelerating RE transition. The four-day workshop also marks the start of Alangalang’s long-term energy planning. It convened representatives from the municipal government, national agencies, the local electric cooperative, civil society, [...]
Solar Scholars Across Islands: Bridging Communities through Renewable Energy
By Glinly Alvero Editor’s Note: Glin currently serves as ICSC’s RE-Charge Pilipinas Senior Innovations Officer, based in ICSC’s regional office in Tacloban City, Leyte. With increasing risks and impacts from the changing climate, there are communities that are far more vulnerable than others, and they’re the ones who are affected immediately, with impacts on their livelihoods and lives. As we are facing this battle, the call for energy transition has become one of the key initiatives to address this: in grassroots communities, especially those off-grid, they are also taking a step forward towards energy transition, like using [...]