Senator Bam Aquino has sought a Senate investigation into the country’s high electricity rates, saying costly power continues to strain household budgets and limit the growth of small businesses.
Aquino filed Senate Resolution No. 508 on July 9, directing the appropriate Senate committee to examine power rates and review existing energy laws and policies for possible reforms.
He said the Philippines continues to record some of the highest electricity prices in Southeast Asia, raising questions about the efficiency, transparency and competitiveness of the power sector.
“Bakit ang Pilipinas ang isa sa may pinakamahal na kuryente sa Southeast Asia? Kailangan nang malaman ang puno’t dulo ng isyung ito na nagbibigay ng mabigat na pasanin sa ating mga kababayan. Sa halip na magamit ang kanilang pinaghirapang pera sa pagkain, gamot at iba pang pangangailangan, napupunta lang ito sa pambayad ng napakamahal na kuryente,” Aquino said.
“Nahihirapan ding kumita, lumago at magbigay ng dagdag na trabaho ang maliliit na negosyo dahil sa napakamahal na kuryenteng ipinapataw sa kanila,” he added.
Aquino said the inquiry should scrutinize the charges reflected in monthly electricity bills and determine whether these are transparent, reasonable and based on actual costs.
The resolution also calls for a comprehensive review of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA, and other energy policies to determine whether legislative changes are needed to strengthen consumer protection and improve the sector’s performance.
Aquino stressed that efforts to lower electricity prices must also account for the country’s long-term energy needs.
“Ensuring affordable electricity must likewise be balanced with maintaining adequate generation capacity, strengthening grid resilience, modernizing transmission infrastructure, accelerating the adoption of renewable energy resources, and enhancing the country’s long-term energy security and climate resilience,” he said.
Aquino earlier filed Senate Bill No. 266 on July 8, 2025, seeking to exempt electricity sales from value-added tax as an immediate measure to reduce power costs for households and ease the financial burden on businesses, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises.
The bill seeks to amend Sections 108(A) and 109(1) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 9337, to remove VAT from electricity sales.