Advocacy group ILAW Pilipinas is challenging candidates to confront what it calls a “governance crisis” behind the Philippines’ worsening power outages.

In a statement released this week, the non-profit organization called on political hopefuls to elevate energy reform into a central plank of their legislative and governance platforms, warning that continued reliance on “band-aid solutions” is no longer tenable.

“The energy insecurity plaguing our nation is more than a technical failure; it is a governance crisis that endangers public welfare, suppresses economic growth, and erodes trust in our institutions,” ILAW said.

The group underscored how persistent power outages have disrupted daily life—from h

omes and hospitals to classrooms and commercial hubs—calling for long-term, resilient planning aligned with climate goals and economic resilience.

ILAW Pilipinas also invited candidates to engage with civil society in shaping energy policy, pointing to recent focus group discussions and field studies that revealed

how unreliable electricity has hit the tourism and business sectors hard. “These findings can serve as a spring board for evidence-based, sector-r esponsive policymaking,” the group noted.

Calling for bold and inclusive energy strategies, ILAW urged voters to scrutinize each candidate’s energy agenda. “Will they push for energy justice, grid reform, and a just transition to renewable energy or will they repeat the cycle of short-term fixes and long-term neglect?” the statement posed.

Do you think energy reform is being prioritized enough in the 2025 campaign season? What should candidates propose to address the power crisis? Share your thoughts with us.

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