The Power for People Coalition (P4P) urges the Energy Regulatory Commission to suspend Wholesale Electricity Spot Market operations in Visayas and Mindanao until supply stabilizes, to shield consumers from record spot rates—P18.59/kWh and P19.56/kWh respectively—announced this week. Unplanned coal plant shutdowns in Cebu, Panay, and Lanao del Norte force utilities to buy costlier spot power amid daily 8–20 hour outages. P4P also calls for temporary fossil fuel rate caps, prioritizing renewable dispatch, stricter penalties for outage culprits, and accountability ahead of Super El Niño’s peak impact. Citing 2026 March–May suspension precedent and the ongoing energy emergency, the group warns inaction would make the President’s emergency declaration merely symbolic. As of Thursday, NGCP placed both grids under alerts: Visayas had yellow (1–2PM, 9–10PM) and red (2–9PM) alerts with 2,205MW capacity vs 2,460MW demand, due to 10 outages and 16 de-rated units (979.9MW unavailable). Mindanao saw yellow (1–5PM, 6–9PM) and red (5–6PM) alerts with 2,631MW vs 2,561MW demand, from 10 outages and 9 de-rated facilities (768.3MW unavailable). Yellow alerts mean low reserves; red alerts signal imminent interruptions.
Group seeks WESM suspension in Visayas, Mindanao amid power crisis
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