An energy consumer group has criticized the performance of outgoing Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, calling his term a failure marked by rising electricity prices and continued reliance on fossil fuels.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Power for People Coalition (P4P) said Lotilla’s leadership at the Department of Energy (DOE) failed to meet the agency’s mandate of ensuring energy security, affordability, and reliability.
“We can’t say for sure that Secretary Lotilla was the worst head of the DOE ever since the department was set up, but he would be a strong contender for the title,” said Gerry Arances, P4P convenor.
Lotilla, who is set to take over as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said last week that it would be up to consumers to judge his tenure at the DOE.
P4P pointed to several policies under Lotilla’s watch, including the department’s push for a natural gas law and what the group described as the weakening of the coal moratorium.
Arances said these moves increased the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels “at a time of sky-high prices and fluctuating supply in the world market.”
The coalition noted that electricity prices increased by approximately Php 2 per kilowatt-hour within the Meralco franchise area, with even higher rates reported in other distribution zones.
Despite official pronouncements backing renewable energy, the group said the country has yet to make significant progress in harnessing its full potential to provide affordable, reliable, and sufficient power.
He added that Lotilla’s performance should be evaluated against the DOE’s core responsibilities.
“The DOE’s mandate is to ensure energy security in terms of less dependence on imported fossil fuel-based energy, making energy affordable in terms of retail price, and guaranteeing the reliability of electricity with reduced yellow and red alerts,” he said.
“From there, we see that Secretary Lotilla has not performed in a manner that can be considered outstanding,” he added.
As Lotilla prepares to assume his new post, Arances urged him to take a different approach at the DENR.
The group expressed hope that Lotilla would perform better at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, urging him not to weaken the coal moratorium for proposed projects in provinces such as Cebu, Quezon, and Batangas.
They also warned against granting permits to fossil fuel ventures that could harm the environment and displace host communities.
