^{In photo: Innovation Day 2026 (L-R) Engr. JP Claudio, Visayas and Mindanao Operations Director, Ayala Property Management Corporation; Anton Perdices, Chief Operations Officer – Distribution Utilities, AboitizPower Corporation; Ireen Catane, Country President, Schneider Electric Philippines; Atty. Nancy Aurora Fajardo, Executive Director, Energy Regulatory Commission; Hon. Greg Gasataya, Mayor of Bacolod City; Allan Roy Calderon, SVP – Corporate Solutions Head, UnionBank of the Philippines; Engr. April Joy Medico, Economic Zone Deputy Administrator, Mactan Economic Zone; XingJian Pang, East Asia Zone President, Schneider Electric; and Felix Taguiam, Regional Governor for Central Visayas, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.}

As power demand rises alongside new investments across the Visayas and Mindanao, Schneider Electric is urging businesses and government agencies to accelerate the adoption of electrification, digitalization, and automation to strengthen energy resilience amid tightening grid conditions.

Speaking during Innovation Day Philippines 2026 in Mandaue City on June 24, the energy technology company said resilient and intelligent energy systems are becoming increasingly important as both regions expand infrastructure while facing growing pressure on electricity supply.

“Together, this strategy provides organizations with greater visibility and control over energy use, enabling a more responsive and efficient approach to operations,” said Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines. “As energy reliability becomes increasingly critical, these capabilities help improve operational performance and efficiency.”

The company pointed to continued economic expansion across the Visayas and Mindanao, citing investment approvals worth PHP27.96 billion covering 22 projects in the Visayas in 2024, alongside major infrastructure developments such as the New Cebu International Container Port and upgrades to the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. It also noted that World Bank-backed projects in Mindanao are expected to improve transport connectivity and health services for at least 19 million Filipinos.

Schneider Electric said these developments will require energy infrastructure that is not only reliable but also capable of managing increasingly complex electricity demand.

The company also cited power outlooks indicating that the Visayas grid could continue experiencing yellow alerts despite imports from Luzon and Mindanao, while reserve margins in the Mindanao grid are likewise expected to tighten in the coming years.

Harold Lim, Country Solutions Head of Schneider Electric Philippines, said organizations should improve visibility into their energy consumption to strengthen operational resilience.

“Visayas and Mindanao are already in this environment. By understanding where and how energy is consumed, organizations in these regions can make better decisions that reduce costs, improve reliability, and support growth,” Lim said.

During the event, Schneider Electric identified rising electricity demand, rapid digitalization, and shifting global supply chains as key trends reshaping investment decisions and increasing the importance of efficient energy management.

The company also stressed that technology deployment alone will not be enough to improve energy resilience, calling for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, utilities, developers, and private industry.

“Strengthening partnerships across the public and private sectors is key to building systems that support long-term growth,” said Atty. Norman Ocana III, Head of Government Affairs of Schneider Electric Philippines.

Innovation Day Philippines 2026 brought together representatives from the Energy Regulatory Commission, local government units, AboitizPower, Ayala Property Management Corp., Mactan Economic Zone, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UnionBank, and other stakeholders to discuss grid modernization, urban development, manufacturing automation, and regional energy infrastructure.

Schneider Electric said the forum concluded with a call for stakeholders to pursue pilot projects and regional initiatives that support the deployment of smarter and more resilient energy systems across the Visayas and Mindanao.

 What are your thoughts? As investments continue to flow into the Visayas and Mindanao, should digital energy management become a standard requirement for new industrial and infrastructure developments? Join the discussion. 

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