Just transition or just survival?

Media’s reporting on the crisis and alternative energy

PRESIDENT FERDINAND Marcos, Jr.’s declaration of a “state of national energy emergency” followed weeks of rising fuel prices around the world as the winds of war in the Middle East threatened the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for 20% of the world’s oil. The government’s response involved a program called UPLIFT to coordinate the different agencies that will manage the rising costs of fuel and food. 

While most news outlets simply repeated these government announcements, some media reports reviewed the country’s energy laws and identified a failure to develop alternative sources of power. 

Warning of a “worst-case scenario” and supply risks

Reports focused on the immediate danger of running out of fuel. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin warned of a “worst-case scenario” where the country’s fuel supply could be completely depleted by June 2026, or in roughly three months from the declaration.

In an interview on ANC, Garin clarified the government’s priorities amid skyrocketing fuel costs. She explained that while prices are high, the “bigger” problem is the availability of supply. She emphasized that the primary goal is “simply making sure fuel is available so that public transport and the delivery of goods don’t stop entirely.”

Rappler also described that while oil-based plants provide only 1% of the nation’s total power, they are the main source of energy for remote, off-grid areas, in provinces that are highly vulnerable to blackouts.

Challenging old laws and thin fuel reserves

Media reports from Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, ABS-CBN News, and the Inquirer highlighted how the government was unprepared for this crisis. On KMJS, energy expert Atty. Noel Baga called Marcos’ emergency declaration “late” and criticized the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, which prevents the government from controlling prices and lets private companies decide how much fuel to store.

Reports revealed that the Philippines only has about 45 to 50 days of oil reserves, which is way below the international recommendation of 90 days. The Inquirer also reported that the government had to resume coal importation, which deepens our dependence on other countries, as a “pragmatic” short-term fix to keep power plants running. KMJS noted the costly failure; as the government is now spending PHP20 billion to buy two million barrels of diesel, an amount that would have cost only PHP10 billion if the Department of Energy had built a national fuel reserve before the crisis. 

Garin maintained a pragmatic but costly stance, stating that it is more important to secure supplies, despite the high costs, to prevent a total economic standstill.

Potential and barriers of alternative energy

Reports from the Inquirer, Philstar.com, and Rappler cited the slow shift toward solar energy because of inherent factors. Philstar.com reported that government “red tape” and the need for up to 80 different permits make it very difficult for companies to build new green energy plants.

Inquirer noted that 85% of Filipinos believe increasing renewable energy is important, yet solar still makes up a tiny fraction of our power mix. 

Rappler explained that while interest in solar has exploded, the high upfront cost of PHP275,000 to PHP500,000 remains a major issue that bars its use for most homes. It cited data showing an “adoption gap.” Residential solar use makes up only 12% of the country’s solar capacity, with large utility companies owning 81%. 

Indigenous rights and the struggle for clean energy

Bulatlat’s unique look at the crisis reported the “clean energy” projects of the Kalinga women who have played a major role in the defense of their ancestral lands. Reports showed the irony of “clean energy” projects leading to violations of human rights of indigenous communities. The 40-megawatt Mabaca River Hydro plant, which many locals oppose because it could submerge their villages, is a stark example. 

However, Bulatlat also shared a success story which featured the use of 25-kilowatt micro-hydro plant, built by the Mabaca tribe in 2003. The plant has brought electricity to their village long before the national grid arrived. This also highlighted the capacity of local communities to provide energy security without destroying the environment.

Shifting from reactive fixes

The emergency showed up media’s capacity beyond simple news updates to provide news that presents creative projects that can define the roadmap for building future energy supplies. 

Overall, media did more by calling for a change in the government’s “reactive” stance – merely waiting for a crisis before acting. By highlighting the failure to build fuel reserves and the leaving untapped potential of local water and solar power, journalists placed the blame on the government, which has failed to act in a meaningful way to develop energy security that relies on natural resources that the country already holds.