Where is Phl energy sector headed?

FROM LEADERSHIP SAGA TO BOARDROOM DRAMA

- By BRIX LELIS

This year, 2025, has proven to be one the Philippine energy sector won’t forget. From sudden exits and new appointments to landmark reforms and high-stakes power deals, the industry delivered drama and shocks worthy of a movie script.

Behind the headlines, however, lies the real story and a still lingering question: What does this mean for millions of Filipinos still grappling with high electricity prices in an already weak economy?

Emma Ponio, a housewife in Pampanga, shared that despite her family of four’s efforts to cut back on electricity use, their power bill remains painfully high, soaring to around P5,500 to P6,500 every month.

“Sometimes our budget for groceries gets reduced because of our bills. It is even bigger than our food budget, and what makes things even harder is that the prices of goods have also gone up,” Emma told The STAR.

Her experience echoes that of Jessa May Evangelista, a company employee, whose family of six sees its monthly electricity bill surge to as much as P8,000, depending on the month and season.

Although her household has managed to budget for these expenses, Jessa May hopes the government will step in to provide relief for families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Like providing subsidies to households... and improving the energy infrastructure so that the additional costs from system losses are not passed on entirely to consumers,” she said.

The struggles of Emma and Jessa May are far from unique. They mirror the challenges faced by millions of Filipinos, whose daily lives are shaped by leadership moves, policy shifts and big power plays in the energy sector.

One clear example this year was the changing of the guard at both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), a shift that could impact millions of consumers.

Garin, Juan take the helm