Category: Energy
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DA, DOE Move to Protect 3M Hectares from Solar Sprawl
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The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are finalizing a landmark joint policy framework to geofence approximately 3 million hectares of prime agricultural flatland. The inter-agency measure is designed to prevent aggressive ground-mounted solar power expansion from displacing critical food production zones across the archipelago. Spearheaded…
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DOE Eyes Port Rationing for Offshore Wind in GEA-5
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The Department of Energy (DOE) is drafting regulatory guidelines to ration port access for offshore wind developers participating in the upcoming Green Energy Auction Round 5 (GEA-5), aiming to eliminate logistical bottlenecks that threaten the rollout of clean marine power. Under the proposed draft circular, winning bidders in the GEA-5…
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ERC Seeks VAT Scrap on System Loss to Save Users ₱6B
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The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is moving to scrap the 12% value-added tax (VAT) levied on system loss charges across electricity distribution utilities, a regulatory initiative projected to deliver approximately ₱6 billion in annual savings to Filipino consumers nationwide. The proposed tax relief targets a structural component of retail electricity…
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The Waiver Workaround: How MORE Power Solved Iloilo City’s Decades-Old Jumper Problem
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When MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power), led by billionaire Enrique K. Razon Jr., assumed control of Iloilo City’s power distribution grid in 2020, the infrastructure was on the brink of collapse. Combined technical and non-technical system losses stood at a staggering 28%. Hazardous, makeshift “jumper” cables crisscrossed informal…
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Grid Status Red: DOE and NGCP Launch Urgent Safety Sweeps of Energy Infrastructure Following Massive Mindanao Earthquake
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Following a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the waters off Sarangani, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) have entered a high-stakes, whole-of-sector mobilization. The disaster has triggered widespread operational disruptions across various southern provinces, testing the resilience…
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‘Meralco’s Fake News’: Gatchalian Blasts Scapegoating of 4Ps in April Bill Shock
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Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has fired back at claims blaming Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries for the recent surge in electricity costs, calling the narrative “fake news.” As consumers reel from the “bill shock” experienced this April, Gatchalian clarified that the burden of high electricity rates lies with…
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UPGRADE NG KURYENTE: ILOILO MODEL, POSIBLENG PAKINABANGAN NG SOCCSKSARGEN
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GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Posibleng makinabang ang mga consumer sa Soccsksargen sa modernong power system na ginagamit na sa Iloilo City. Ipinapakita ng MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) kung paano nababawasan ang brownout at napapabilis ang restoration gamit ang advanced substations, automated systems, at real-time monitoring tulad…
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Colmenares Insists on Ending ‘Legalized Robbery’ Amidst Meralco Bill Shock
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Consumer advocates and the group Bayan Muna strongly condemned the “bill shock” experienced by millions of Meralco customers this April and May 2026, amidst record-high rates that hit ₱14.3496 per kWh. Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares described the situation as a form of “legalized robbery” being shouldered by ordinary Filipinos.…
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Senate Protect Committee calls for amendment of Epira law to stop Meralco’s inflated charges
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A member of the Senate PROTECT Committee called for the immediate amendment of the EPIRA law to stop the exorbitant charges imposed by Meralco on its consumers who are already reeling from the rising fuel and food prices due to Middle East conflict. Senator Imee Marcos has joined several legislators…
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Razon utilities ease power bills over ₱1/kWh while Meralco raises rates ahead of summer
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The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) raised its residential electricity rates this February despite the country still being in cooler months and before the official start of summer, while several provincial utilities under business tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. — Bohol Light, Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC), and MORE Power in…
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Treñas gives 150% endorsement for MORE Power as Batangas’ next power distributor
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Former Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has given his “150% endorsement” to MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) as the next power distributor for Batangas through its Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Batangas II Electric Cooperative(BATELEC II), sharing how the company helped transform Iloilo City’s economy and quality…
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NASECOR asks ERC: Are Meralco bills fair?
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The National Association of Consumer Organizations (NASECOR) is calling on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to check if Manila Electric Company (Meralco) is overcharging consumers. In a January 22, 2026 letter, NASECOR president Petronilo Ilagan asked how many of Meralco’s subsidiaries and related businesses fall under the law requiring utilities…