Consumer advocacy group ILAW Pilipinas is calling for structural reforms in the energy sector following the declaration of a national energy emergency and the suspension of operations of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

The group said these developments stress the gravity of the challenges facing the country’s power sector, pointing to systemic issues rather than isolated disruptions.

According to ILAW, recurring power outages, volatile electricity prices, and uneven access to reliable energy are rooted in long-standing gaps in planning, delays in project implementation, and weaknesses in governance and regulatory oversight.

“However, declaring an emergency must not be the end of the conversation; it must be the beginning of meaningful reform,” the group said.

ILAW emphasized that while emergency measures allow the government to act swiftly, they must remain transparent, accountable, and aligned with the public interest. The group warned that such measures should not bypass due process or disproportionately burden consumers already facing high electricity costs.

The organization expressed support for the Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to suspend WESM operations, describing it as a temporary measure to prevent price spikes and cushion consumers from electricity price shocks. However, it stressed that this should not replace long-term solutions.

ILAW urged the government to take advantage of the situation to pursue broader reforms, including accelerating the development of energy infrastructure across generation, transmission, and distribution, strengthening regulatory institutions, and promoting a more diversified and sustainable energy mix.

It also called on the National Electrification Administration and electric cooperatives to reduce system losses and improve operational efficiency, while urging the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to expedite critical grid upgrades to prevent recurring blackouts.

The group highlighted the importance of clear communication with the public, saying consumers have the right to understand the nature of the emergency, the measures being implemented, and how these will affect electricity prices and supply reliability.

ILAW added that addressing the crisis requires collaboration across government, industry, and communities, grounded in transparency, accountability, and a shared commitment to workable solutions.

“An energy emergency should not normalize crisis governance. Instead, it should catalyze a shift toward a more resilient, transparent, and people-centered energy system,” the group said.

As the country grapples with ongoing power sector challenges, ILAW stressed that energy should be treated not just as a sector to manage during crises, but as a fundamental pillar of national development and a basic service that must be delivered reliably and affordably.

Can the current energy crisis finally drive long-overdue reforms in the Philippine power sector?

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