As Cebu continues to grapple with persistent power supply constraints and electricity price volatility, consumer advocacy group ILAW Pilipinas (ILAW) expresses its support for the newly formed Cebu Energy Alliance (CEA) and echoes its call for coordinated and decisive action to secure reliable and affordable electricity for households and businesses across the province.
Launched on October 12 during the Cebu Energy Summit led by the Cebu provincial government and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the CEA brings together government agencies, energy companies, power distributors, and business groups to address electricity supply constraints, rising power costs, and Cebu’s rapidly growing energy demand.
Collaborative Approach Toward Cebu’s Energy Security
The formation of the Cebu Energy Alliance comes amid continuing challenges across the Visayas power grid, where recurring power plant outages, limited supply margins, and rising electricity demand have contributed to grid alerts and rotational brownouts. Energy experts have also warned that power supply disruptions and electricity price volatility could persist through 2028, urging Cebu-based businesses to strengthen their internal electrical infrastructure and invest in energy efficiency.
“The formation of the Cebu Energy Alliance is a timely intervention toward stronger coordination among the government, the power sector, and the business community,” said ILAW National Convenor Agnes “Beng” Garcia. “Ideally, this collaboration translates into concrete action toward energy security for Cebu.”
Garcia added, “We cannot expect consumers to continue bearing the consequences of an unstable power supply. The alliance can serve as a catalyst for solutions that deliver reliable, affordable energy for every household and business in Cebu.”
ILAW likewise underscored the importance of the Cebu provincial government’s commitment to actively coordinate with local government units and elevate stakeholders’ concerns to national agencies to develop a unified and responsive strategy for ensuring a stable power supply for energy consumers across the province.
Furthermore, ILAW acknowledges the role that the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) plays in strengthening the multi-sector alliance and addressing the province’s power concerns. “ILAW shares in the CCCI’s call for urgent action for stable and affordable energy, particularly for small enterprises that are vital for the local economy,” stated ILAW Youth Convenor Francine Beatriz Pradez. In 2025, ILAW’s FGD study reported that persistent power outages cost tourist destinations like Cebu millions in lost revenue. The province’s large businesses faced daily revenue losses of around ₱216,000, while Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises or MSMEs lost about ₱82,000 per day of blackout.
Sufficient Baseload for Reliable and Affordable Electricity
Earlier this month, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) published new data showing that demand in the Visayas increased by approximately 124 percent, from 1,241 MW in 2009 to 2,779 MW in 2026. As the region continues to face growing demand, ILAW echoes the Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (CERA) push for sufficient baseload capacity to safeguard consumers against price spikes and supply gaps. According to CERA, securing baseload power can help keep electricity rates affordable for consumers.
“While diversifying energy sources and strengthening grid connections remain important, these measures must be supported by adequate dependable baseload capacity,” argued Garcia. “Without sufficient power available to meet the rising demand, Cebu remains exposed to supply disruptions and electricity price volatility.”
Beyond abstract technical failures, ILAW emphasizes that power crises are governance failures with real human consequences. “Our national government energy agencies must ensure that decisions in the energy sector are guided by equity, accountability, and long-term public benefit,” stressed Pradez.
“Consumers should not have to pay more because the energy system failed to plan for their needs,” she added. “The consequences of these failures must never be passed on to households and small businesses as higher electricity rates.”
ILAW remains ready to engage with communities, the provincial government, and fellow consumer organizations, and relevant stakeholders to advocate for solutions that protect Cebu’s energy future.
“Energy security is the right of every consumer and the foundation of every business’ survival,” concluded Garcia. “The formation of the energy alliance should mark the beginning of sustained, concrete action toward a more reliable and affordable electricity for Cebuanos.”
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