Philippine energy, environmental, and community groups called for public control of the country’s power sector on Oct. 6, saying decades of privatization had failed to bring down electricity costs while exposing communities to displacement, land conflicts and environmental harm.
The call came as energy investors and business leaders gathered for the second day of the ASEAN Energy Business Forum.
IBON Foundation joined the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, AGHAM Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, Professionals and Engineers for the People, Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, and community and consumer groups in challenging the private investment model promoted in the energy sector.
IBON Executive Director Sonny Africa questioned who benefits from the regional forum’s stated goals of energy inclusivity, energy transition, innovation and resilience.
“The ASEAN Energy Business Forum claims to be a platform for energy inclusivity, energy transition for economic growth, energy innovation and resilience—but for whom?” Africa said.
He said Filipinos need immediate relief from high electricity costs, but argued that broader changes in the energy system are also necessary.
“Filipinos need cheaper electricity rates immediately, but essentially, we need an energy system that is publicly controlled and oriented toward people’s needs, not toward securing profits for investors and energy corporations,” Africa said.
Community representatives from Nueva Ecija, Talim Island in Laguna, Olongapo and the Sierra Madre also raised concerns over large energy and infrastructure projects affecting their areas.
Farmer Marvin Resilva of the Movement Against Destructive Solar Farms discussed what the group described as large-scale land grabbing and displacement linked to MTerra, a major renewable energy project.
Sean Rosales of the Save Laguna Lake Movement discussed what the group described as militarization affecting Talim Island residents and their opposition to the proposed Vena Energy project.
Rica Torres of Mansaway raised concerns over the displacement of Indigenous peoples and the impacts of large-scale solar projects in Olongapo.
Daisy Macapanpan of Protect Sierra Madre discussed what her group described as threats to communities and the environment from the proposed Sierra Madre offshore wind project.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chair Emeritus Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano also raised long-standing agrarian problems faced by farmers, including the expansion of corporate projects into agricultural areas. He called for genuine land reform.
The groups said the experiences of affected communities challenged the government’s promotion of private energy investments as the solution to the country’s energy needs.
They said Filipinos continued to face high electricity rates and energy insecurity despite decades of privatization, while private energy corporations expanded their control over the sector.
IBON called instead for national industrialization and public control of strategic energy resources and services.
Julius Roa of Professionals and Engineers for the People said public control could help provide affordable and accessible electricity while supporting economic development through the country’s energy potential.
IBON said the groups were presenting an alternative to the investment-led model being promoted at the ASEAN gathering.
“The ASEAN Energy Business Forum is bringing investors together to strengthen the role of private capital in the energy sector. We are here to put forward the other side: energy should serve the people, not corporate profit,” IBON said.
