IBON Facts & Figures: “Alternative to Power Privatization” [Excerpt]

April 18, 2019

Amid power interruptions because of combined forced power outages due to maintainance and various power plants’ system problems, we share the introduction of the December 2014 IBON Facts & Figures issue titled “Alternative to Power Privatization”: “When the Philippine government privatized the electric power sector in 2001, it promised cheaper and sustainable supply of energy […]

Deregulating rates and privatizing power through EPIRA

February 12, 2019

A challenge to reverse power privatization

June 16, 2017

In 2001, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) was enacted with the promise of delivering affordable and reliable electricity to the country. Sixteen years later, electricity remains expensive and unreliable, and electric power industry monopoly has intensified, further enriching big firms. The following points elaborate on why the Duterte administration should all the more […]

Meralco rates 3rd highest in Asia

June 8, 2017

A 2016 survey conducted by the International Energy Consultants showed that the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO has the third highest electricity rates in Asia after Japan and Hong Kong. The same study reported that Meralco consumers spend 4.5% of their disposable income on electricity which is higher than the 3.9% global average.

Filipinos lack access to water, electricity despite megadams

March 15, 2017

In commemoration of the International Day of Action for Rivers and Against Large Dams, Filipino groups opposed to large dams said that while megadams are supposed to supply cheap water and electricity to urban and rural communities nationwide, Philippine experience has proven otherwise. Indigenous peoples and support groups Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas […]

Bigger and more increases loom after ERC-approved Meralco hike, IBON warns

March 8, 2017

Research group IBON warned that consumers may face bigger and more rate increases in their electricity bills this summer. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)’s approval of a smaller than petitioned rate hike for the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is still warrantless and just a portion of generation costs that the power distributor and its suppliers […]

 Prepaid electricity: Neoliberal “users pay” at its worst

February 9, 2017

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) recently said that it aims to expand its prepaid customers by 100,000 from the current 40,000 this year. Kuryente Load (KLoad), the utility giant’s prepaid electricity service, is presently available in Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasig, and parts of Rizal. Meralco now plans to offer KLoad to customers in Caloocan, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, Pateros, […]

Repeal EPIRA: PH power rates double in 15 years–IBON

June 9, 2016

Research group IBON said that fifteen years of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) has only strengthened corporations’ monopoly of the Philippine power industry, and burdened consumers with high power rates. The group, a member of the POWER alliance, said that EPIRA must be repealed. EPIRA or Republic Act (RA) 9136 was enacted in […]

Path not to take: The exclusionary and elitist Daang Matuwid

May 8, 2016

#BeyondElections2016 | The Aquino administration’s long-playing call to sustain its so-called legacy of a fast-growing economy driven by “good governance” resonated in the “ituloy ang Daang Matuwid” electoral campaign. That the elections are just a day away and that the term of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is nearing its end are opportune moments to review […]