![[PRESS RELEASE] βIbasura ang EPIRA Lawβ: BAYAN Negros stages lightning rally condemning Visayas Energy CrisisBACOLOD CIT...](https://img5.ngos1.com/201/926/122301399662019262.jpg)
03/10/2026
[PRESS RELEASE] βIbasura ang EPIRA Lawβ: BAYAN Negros stages lightning rally condemning Visayas Energy Crisis
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental β Progressive organizations led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Negros held a lightning protest along Lacson Street, in front of LβFisher Hotel where a supposed βpublic hearingβ took place calling to junk the EPIRA law that draws the rising electricity costs, recurring power interruptions, and the continuing privatization of the country's energy sector, October 3.
The protest coincided with the joint public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Energy together with the Committees on Visayas Development and Legislative Franchises of the 20th Congress. The hearing tackled resolutions concerning recurring red and yellow alerts, power outages, transmission issues, and other challenges affecting the Luzon and Visayas power grids.
However, BAYAN Negros and allied organizations demonstrated how inaccessible the hearing was to the public, as it was held inside an exclusive facility.
β[...] Ari diri sa gwa ang matuod-tuod nga tingog sang pumuluyo kung ano ya ang ila gusto para nga magnubo ang kuryente kag para indi na kita mag-agom sang padayon nga brownout.β Jun AΓ±o of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) denouncing the location of the hearing.
The group sought to bring the experiences and concerns of consumers, workers, farmers, and affected communities directly to lawmakers discussing the region's power situation.
βAng konsultasiyon nga ini indi para sa pigado nga naga-antos sang kasakdan sang kamahalon sang inyo plano. [..] Ang generation charge may VAT, ang transmission may VAT, ang system loss may VAT. Sin-o ang gabayad? Kami nga pumuluyo nga pigado.β said Linda Pabiona of Gabriela Womenβs Party pointing out the financial burden placed on impoverished families through compounding taxes.
The groups highlighted the burden of rising electricity rates and the impact of recurring power interruptions on households and communities throughout the Visayas. Protesters argued that consumers continued to bear increasing costs while experiencing unstable and unreliable power service.
βAng sang-una nga bill nga isa ka libo nagalab-ot dos mil subong nga tion.[..] Wala-tuo ang ginatubang nga krisis sang pumuluyo subong. [...] Kaupod sang pagtaas sang presyo sang krudo nagataas man ang serbisyo sosyal nga ginahatag.β said Florence Guzon of Kabataan Partylist.
βAng ugat sang padayon nga brownout amo ang padayon nga planta sang coal. [...] Ang pagmahal sang kuryente bunga sang coal and gas [..] Ang mga private corporation nga yara sa enerhiya nga naganegosyo amo diri ang nagasupply sa atun diri sang power.β Jun AΓ±o of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) explained how dependence on corporate power suppliers exacerbates the situation.
Echoing these environmental and policy concerns, Bianca Montilla of Youth for Climate Hope challenged local officials regarding contradictory energy plans, asking, βGindeklarar nga coal free ang ini nga probinsyo. Kag ikaw [Albee Benitez] patindugan mo sang coal plant?β
βNgaa nagabrownout kag ngaa nagamahal ang atun nga kuryente? Kay ang atun distribution utility nga ginapalagyuhan na sang pribado [nga korporasiyon] sa subong, kung balabagan natun nga indi magkadto sa privatization, mapugngan ta ang dugang nga pagtaas sang kuryente.β AΓ±o added.
Participants also called for an end to the privatization of public utilities, contending that essential services had increasingly come under the control of private corporations rather than serving the public interest.
The organizations further raised concerns regarding the expansion of foreign-funded and privately owned renewable energy projects across Negros Island. While acknowledging the importance of renewable energy development, the groups argued that several proposed projects threatened agricultural lands and could displace farming communities whose livelihoods depended on these areas.
The protest took place as lawmakers heard testimonies and presentations from government agencies, power industry stakeholders, and other concerned sectors regarding recurring power shortages, grid reliability, electricity prices, ancillary service charges, and long-term energy planning in the Visayas.
According to BAYAN Negros, meaningful solutions to the power crisis should prioritize the welfare of consumers, strengthen public accountability in the energy sector, and safeguard the rights and livelihoods of communities affected by large-scale energy projects.
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REFERENCE AND PHOTOS:
Althea Geaga
Chairperson
College Editors Guild of the Philippines - Negros Island Region
[email protected]
