Millions of Filipinos still live without electricity, electricity costs are rising, and the climate crisis is accelerating. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s energy promises in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) must now be met with action, urgency, and political will.
People of Asia for Climate Solutions (PACS) welcomes the President’s renewed commitment to ending widespread blackouts, accelerating electrification for the 3 million unelectrified households, and expanding the use of solar home systems. If implemented swiftly and transparently, these pledges could bring long-overdue relief to families long left in the dark and advance our progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Among the few energy points raised in the SONA, one particular deserves more attention: distributed solar energy. Scaling up solar home systems and enabling net metering are promising strategies that can unlock the Philippines’ vast solar potential. Distributed solar empowers households and communities to generate their own electricity, making the energy transition more inclusive and resilient.
Homegrown clean energies, such as solar and wind, instead of relying on imported fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, are central to the dignity, safety, and development of Filipino communities.
Recent typhoons have caused billions in damages, which further underscores the country’s vulnerability to the climate crisis. And still, the Philippines remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Coal remains the dominant energy source in the Philippines, accounting for 62% of its total energy mix in 2024 according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In the same year, the country spent approximately USD 3.3 billion or around PHP 186 billion on coal imports. In 2023, the country spent over PHP 5.1 billion on liquified natural gas (LNG) alone, and Zero Carbon Analytics projects that the Philippines will increase its LNG imports in the coming years due to declining domestic gas supply.
Relying on fossil fuels not only harms the environment but also makes the Philippines vulnerable to volatile global prices. Ultimately, the costs will be passed on to consumers through higher electricity bills.
This is why further dependence on fossil fuels should not be the direction. Instead, we must invest in homegrown renewable energy that can power our future while strengthening our economic and political independence.
We urge the government to go beyond infrastructure targets and act decisively to unlock the full potential of clean and community-driven energy. Fast-tracking the implementation of the solar home system program, removing bureaucratic delays in renewable energy permitting, and setting measurable timelines for achieving our 2030 and 2050 renewable energy goals are critical.
PACS stands firm in its advocacy for a just, inclusive, and urgent transition to clean energy. We will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders while holding power to account.
Media Contact:
Leovy Ramirez (she/her)
Communications Officer
People of Asia for Climate Solutions
+639156618382