POWER CRISIS BY DESIGN: How Meralco and San Miguel’s Broken Promises Are Leaving Filipinos in the Dark

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the simmering heat of another Philippine summer, the burden of ballooning electricity bills has become all too familiar for millions of households. Yet behind the cold numbers on your monthly Meralco bill lies a tale of betrayal, manipulation, and a deep-rooted system designed to protect profits—at the cost of the public’s welfare.

At the epicenter of this unfolding crisis is a delayed promise: a 1,200-megawatt baseload power supply from Excellent Energy Resources Inc. (EERI), a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed that EERI’s failure to deliver on time will again cause tight power supply conditions and drive up prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). And who bears the brunt of these price hikes? The already overburdened Filipino consumer.

But make no mistake—this is not a mere accident. It is part of a pattern.

A Vicious Cycle of Delay, Denial, and Deception

This is not the first time Meralco and SMC have been in the spotlight for questionable conduct. Back in 2022, when fuel costs surged, SMC’s subsidiaries SPPC and SMEC sought to terminate their Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) with Meralco, citing unsustainable operations. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) denied the move, but SMC went to court—and won. Soon after, these same companies returned to Meralco’s bidding process, won again, and are now again failing to deliver.

This leaves Meralco with a convenient excuse to buy from the WESM—where prices are notoriously high—then pass on the additional costs to you, the consumer.

A System Built for Corporations, Not Citizens

Year after year, Meralco—the country’s largest power distributor—finds itself at the center of scandal after scandal involving questionable rate hikes, overbilling, and contractual violations. Yet accountability remains elusive. Despite repeated failures, its 25-year franchise was recently renewed, signaling to the public that delays, broken contracts, and skyrocketing rates are business as usual.

Even more alarming: Meralco continues to eye expansion into other franchise areas, such as BATELEC II in Batangas, potentially bringing its flawed practices to even more communities.

The game is rigged. The rules are bent. And the referees are either silent—or complicit.

The Cost of Silence

Every broken contract, every delayed power delivery, every unexplained surge in your electric bill points to a deeper truth: our energy sector is no longer governed by public service. It is steered by private conglomerates who bend rules, break promises, and pass the consequences to powerless consumers.

The power crisis we face is not the result of unforeseen events or bad luck. It is by design.

A Call to Action: Investigate, Audit, Reform

PARE (Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy) is demanding more than just answers—we are demanding justice.

We call for a full, independent audit of Meralco, covering:

All active and terminated PSAs

Rate applications and price adjustment mechanisms

Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) and capital expenditures

Operational and maintenance expenses

Contracting history—especially with habitual violators

But an audit alone is not enough. The Energy Regulatory Commission must finally do its job. Delayed PSAs should trigger public penalties and supplier reevaluation—not silence and backroom excuses.

Moreover, the House Committee on Energy, chaired by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, and the Senate Committee on Energy, led by Sen. Pia Cayetano, must hold a joint congressional inquiry to investigate how major players like San Miguel wield their influence. It's time to ask the hard questions: Are current procurement mechanisms delivering affordable and reliable power—or just reinforcing corporate monopolies?

Power to the People

This is not just about electricity. This is about fairness. This is about a right. This is about justice.

We urge every Filipino to stay vigilant. Hold Meralco and San Miguel accountable. Demand transparency. Demand reform. Because the Filipino people deserve more than broken promises and bloated bills. They deserve a power sector that serves them—not exploits them.

No more excuses. No more passes. No more powerless consumers.

By Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE)

It’s time to reclaim control. Not just over electricity—but over truth, justice, and our future.

The lights may still be on—but the system is broken. And it’s time to fix it.

Shaping the Next Generation of Storytellers: FDCP and iACADEMY Ignite a Bold New Chapter for Philippine Cinema through Academic Film Society

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In an inspiring convergence of passion, purpose, and cinematic vision, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in partnership with iACADEMY, ignited the first Academic Film Society (AFS) gathering of 2025 — a momentous event that may very well shape the future of Philippine cinema.

Held within the creative heart of iACADEMY’s multipurpose hall, the inaugural meeting wasn’t just a ceremonial launch — it was a resounding call to arms for student filmmakers and educators across the country. It was a collective declaration: that cinema, as both an art and a force for education, deserves to be nurtured, elevated, and deeply embedded in our academic and cultural landscape.

This milestone gathering drew representatives from colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide — all united by a shared mission to uplift film education and empower a new breed of storytellers. The Academic Film Society, a flagship initiative of the FDCP, serves as a beacon for this mission — fostering a vibrant community of student filmmakers and educators while integrating film more deeply into academic curricula.

A Vision Shared, A Future Envisioned

Raquel Perez-Wong, President and COO of iACADEMY, captured the spirit of the gathering in her opening remarks:

"Today, we come together not just as individuals but as a thriving community of filmmakers, educators, and visionaries dedicated to shaping the future of Philippine cinema."

Her words echoed a belief that cinema is not just a discipline or industry — it is a powerful unifier, a voice for the youth, and a reflection of our shared narratives. She expressed hope that the gathering would spark new collaborations, embolden bold storytelling, and celebrate the power of film as a transformative tool.

Echoing this sentiment was FDCP Chairman and CEO Jose Javier "Direk Joey" Reyes, whose message resonated with gratitude and resolve. Acknowledging the role of educators as catalysts for growth, Direk Joey emphasized how the AFS will bridge the divide between classroom learning and the dynamic, real-world demands of filmmaking.

"Film education must evolve. It must empower students to tell their truths, to find their voices, and to craft stories that challenge, move, and inspire," he said.

Mapping the Road Ahead

FDCP Project Development Officer Korina Dela Cruz provided attendees with a roadmap of the agency’s programs for the first half of 2025 — from intensive workshops and training sessions to nationwide student film festivals and filmmaker talks. These initiatives underscore the FDCP’s commitment to building not just skills, but confidence, creativity, and community among student filmmakers.

Meanwhile, FDCP Exhibition Division Head Jeanivieve Lopez-Marcos championed JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel — a platform that doesn't just stream Filipino films but also promotes a culture of film literacy and appreciation. Through accessible content and educational tie-ins, JuanFlix is poised to become an essential tool for schools integrating cinema into their learning frameworks.

Open Dialogue, Shared Aspirations

The open forum, moderated by FDCP Technical Consultant for Academic Linkages Seymour Sanchez, provided a vital space for honest conversation and feedback. Representatives from different institutions raised questions, shared practices, and proposed ideas that could further enhance the AFS framework — making it not just a support system, but a collaborative hub that thrives on co-creation.

Participants discussed aligning their school calendars with FDCP’s 2025 film events, explored potential inter-school projects, and called for more inclusive platforms where emerging voices can be heard and celebrated.

A Collective Commitment to Cinema

As the gathering came to a close, the mood was far from final — it was only the beginning. Energized by a renewed sense of purpose and backed by the unwavering support of the FDCP, the member institutions left with more than just plans — they carried with them a spark. A spark to innovate, to collaborate, and to push the boundaries of what Filipino student filmmakers can achieve.

The FDCP’s call remains open: for more schools, educators, and student film groups to join the Academic Film Society. To be part of this movement is to be part of something bigger — a collective endeavor to ensure that the stories of tomorrow are born today, in classrooms, on campuses, and through the creative hearts of young Filipinos.

Because in every student with a camera, a pen, or a dream, lies the future of Philippine cinema. And with initiatives like the AFS, that future is looking exceptionally bright.

Wazzup Pilipinas! Supporting the next generation of cinematic storytellers — one frame, one voice, one vision at a time.

Devotion or Disregard? EcoWaste Coalition Highlights the Mess Left Behind at Holy Week Pilgrimage Sites

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

While millions of Filipinos walked with solemn faith through traditional Holy Week pilgrimages, another path unfolded—one littered with plastic bottles, food containers, and discarded devotional items. In a dramatic juxtaposition of spiritual devotion and environmental neglect, the EcoWaste Coalition sounded the alarm on the growing trail of trash left behind by pilgrims who forgot that cleanliness is next to godliness.

This year's Maundy Thursday and Good Friday observances once again drew multitudes to sacred sites across the country. However, not all left behind footprints of reverence. The EcoWaste Coalition, the country’s leading waste and pollution watchdog, released a sobering report after monitoring several key pilgrimage destinations. The contrast was stark: while some churches and shrines radiated not only spiritual but also environmental purity, others bore the unsightly remnants of human negligence.

Shrines of Devotion, Scenes of Degradation

In Antipolo City, the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, more popularly known as the Antipolo Cathedral, witnessed a slight improvement in cleanliness compared to previous years. But even in this progress, the early morning of Good Friday revealed a disheartening sight—discarded religious flyers, plastic bottles, fast food containers, and even makeshift bedding such as plastic sheets and boxes, abandoned by exhausted pilgrims.

The streets leading to the cathedral, particularly Ortigas Avenue Extension, told a similar story: strewn with single-use plastics, the pathway mirrored the chaos of post-festival waste rather than the solemnity of spiritual reflection.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, fared no better. Overflowing trash bins, picnic tables cluttered with used plastic bottles and paper bowls, and plastic candle wrappers littering the Stations of the Cross painted a heartbreaking picture. Even the sacred hill depicting the crucifixion of Christ was not spared—its holy ground blanketed in garbage.

Other pilgrimage sites that suffered a similar fate included:

The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Manila,

The National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan,

And the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Grace in Caloocan City.

Sanctuaries of Cleanliness: A Glimpse of What Could Be

Yet, amid the mess, there was hope. Several pilgrimage sites stood tall as shining examples of environmental discipline and community cooperation.

In the Archdiocese of Manila, the following Jubilee Churches were commended for their litter-free sanctuaries:

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

Minor Basilica of San Sebastian

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Abandoned

National Shrine of the Sacred Heart

Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto

Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia

Saint John Bosco Parish

San Ildefonso Parish

San Pablo Apostol Parish

Likewise, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Parañaque, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in Quezon City, St. Gregory the Great Parish in Cavite, and the Cathedral of the Holy Child in Manila stood as bastions of spiritual and environmental integrity.

A Call for Year-Round Awareness and Action

The EcoWaste Coalition expressed deep gratitude to local government units and church authorities who took proactive steps to promote eco-friendly practices among the faithful. But gratitude alone is not enough.

“There is a glaring need to institutionalize environmental value formation—not just during Lent, but year-round,” the Coalition asserted. “We must also enforce long-existing laws like Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) and elevate our practices beyond mere compliance.”

In particular, the Coalition underscored the urgent necessity to ban single-use plastics—the most common and persistent form of litter—while promoting reuse and refill systems that cut down waste at its source.

The group also gave a heartfelt salute to the silent environmental heroes of Holy Week: the street sweepers, waste workers, and informal recyclers, who bore the burden of others’ irresponsibility. Without their thankless toil, the aftermath would have been far worse.

The Real Pilgrimage: From Faith to Responsibility

As Holy Week reminds Filipinos of their spiritual journey, the EcoWaste Coalition challenges everyone to also reflect on their environmental stewardship.

“Faith is not just about prayers and penance,” the Coalition emphasized. “It is also about respect—for God’s creation, for our fellow men, and for the generations who will inherit this Earth.”

It is time for pilgrims not only to walk in faith but also to tread lightly on the earth.