In the wake of the 2025 midterm elections, civil society group ILAW Pilipinas has issued a prominent call to action for the country’s newly elected officials, urging them to prioritize long-overdue reforms in the energy sector. The group highlighted that the results of the elections mark a vital opportunity to pursue transformative governance rooted in accountability, equity, and sustainability.

ILAW’s post-election statement pointed to persistent energy challenges, such as recurring brownouts, unstable supply, and unaffordable electricity rates. These challenges, the Group said, continue to negatively affect industries, essential services, and everyday Filipino households. These issues, the organization said, have long stifled the country’s growth and must now be addressed as a matter of national development.

“Communities across the country continue to grapple with recurring brownouts, unstable energy supply, and unaffordable electricity costs—conditions that have stifled growth in key industries, disrupted essential services, and diminished quality of life for countless Filipinos,” the statement read.

ILAW Pilipinas specifically urged legislators to pursue amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and to consider exempting power end users from the Value Added Tax (VAT) as a means to alleviate financial pressure on consumers.

The group, which has actively engaged stakeholders in the tourism and business sectors leading up to the elections, cited widespread frustration with unreliable electricity and government inaction. These perspectives, it noted, should be at the core of energy policymaking moving forward.

“We call on our lawmakers to urgently pass EPIRA amendments to address high electricity costs, and to look into exempting power end users of Value Added Tax to ease the financial burdens on Filipino households and businesses,” the group emphasized.

ILAW also underscored the importance of engaging civil society as a partner in crafting resilient and people-centered energy solutions. It urged the public to remain vigilant and participate in energy conversations to hold elected leaders accountable.

“The mandate does not end at the ballot box; it begins there,” the statement concluded. “Let this new chapter in our governance be defined by accountability, transparency, and a sincere commitment to building a stronger, more energy-secure Philippines for all.”

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