President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called for an immediate overhaul of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), making lower electricity prices a centerpiece of his energy agenda while betting on natural gas, hydrogen and nuclear power to strengthen the country’s long-term energy security.
In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos said the country’s more than two-decade-old power sector law must be updated to better protect consumers from rising electricity costs.
“We, the people, request—no, we demand—the immediate amendment of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA),” the President said, drawing one of the strongest responses during his speech.
Marcos also urged Congress to prohibit the charging of system losses and other unnecessary costs to consumers, arguing that households and businesses should no longer shoulder expenses that do not directly reflect their electricity consumption.
The proposed reforms come as the Philippines continues to grapple with some of the highest electricity rates in Asia, a longstanding concern that has weighed on household budgets, business competitiveness and investment.
Beyond legislative changes, Marcos outlined a broader strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
He said the discovery of 222 billion cubic feet of natural gas would extend the productive life of the Malampaya gas field until 2034, providing enough fuel to supply about 1.6 million households over the next eight years.
The President also highlighted the award of 14 petroleum service contracts, the highest issued under a single administration, including four projects focused on hydrogen production.
“Hydrogen gas will serve as a backup fuel for our power plants, especially useful for our off-grid areas. It is also regarded as the world’s clean fuel of the future,” Marcos said.
He added that hydrogen projects are already being developed in the Bangsamoro region to support the government’s total electrification program.
Marcos also reopened the discussion on nuclear energy, saying the country should revisit the technology as part of a diversified energy portfolio.
“We are confident in its capacity to reinforce our energy security and to bring down the cost of electricity in our country,” he said.
Complementing the strategy, the President said the government would continue promoting electric vehicles by extending zero tariffs on EV imports through 2028 while encouraging local battery production and electric vehicle manufacturing, linking energy security with the country’s broader industrial development agenda.
