25 years into EPIRA, what has worked—and what still needs fixing?

Atty. Jay Layug, Senior Partner at DivinaLaw, returns to Power Podcast for a critical look at the Philippine power sector 25 years after the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) was enacted.

Drawing on decades of experience in energy policy and regulation—including his tenure as DOE Undersecretary and Chairman of the National Renewable Energy Board, as well as his current roles as President of Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc. (DREAM) and Director of the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute PERPI (PERPI) —Atty. Jay weighs in on what EPIRA has achieved, what remains unresolved, and where the Philippine energy sector should go next.

He also discusses the Philippine Energy Plan and tackles a question that hits every Filipino’s wallet:

If renewable energy is expanding, why are electricity bills still so high?

Tune in as we unpack the policies, market structures, and energy realities behind the price of power in the Philippines. Stream Power Podcast now!

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Celso Caballero III (President of AboitizPower’s Transition Business Group) brings a dose of reality to the Philippines’ energy evolution. He raises some important points as to why developing nations can't simply copy first-world templates without risking severe economic consequences for everyday citizens.

From deploying Southeast Asia's first floating battery energy storage system on a barge to utilizing AI "digital twins" to keep the grid stable, tune in to hear a "tech-geek" engineer discuss the true complexities of the Energy Trilemma, the power of mentoring the next generation, and his personal journey from McDonald's to leading operationally complex energy systems.

🎧 Stream now and listen to the full conversation.

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WEnergy Global founder, CEO, and board director Atem S. Ramsundersingh joins the Power Podcast to share the story behind the company's flagship microgrid project in Sabang, Palawan, and the years of persistence it took to deliver reliable, clean power to an off-grid community.

From the story behind WEnergy Global's flagship project, to why he believes energy security should come before energy costs, Atem discusses the opportunities, challenges, and policies shaping the future of rural electrification.

Tune in as we spark another important conversation on the future of Philippine energy.

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What does it really take to bring energy to communities beyond the power lines?

In our latest episode of Power Podcast, we sit down with Jeffrey Tarayao, President of One Meralco Foundation, to talk about the role of energy in nation-building—from electrifying underserved communities and disaster response to building partnerships that create lasting impact. Watch the full conversation and discover how purpose-driven initiatives are helping shape the future of the Philippine energy sector.

Know more about One Meralco Foundation: https://company.meralco.com.ph/one-meralco-foundation

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The Philippines has some of the highest electricity prices in Asia. So why aren't more businesses going solar?

On Power Podcast episode 25, Berde Renewables Inc. co-founders Patrick Zhu and Morris Zhou talk about the challenges of growing a renewable energy business in the Philippines, why many companies still hesitate to go solar, and where they see the biggest opportunities in the market today.

Backed by I Squared Capital, Berde Renewables has become one of the country's leading commercial and industrial solar developers, helping businesses reduce power costs through distributed energy solutions.

Stream this episode now!

Know more about Berde Renewables Inc: https://berderenewables.com/

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For years, businesses focused on one thing when buying electricity: the lowest rate.

But according to COREnergy Head of Sales Marko Sarmiento, today's energy buyers are asking different questions—about supply security, market risks, flexibility, data, and long-term value.

In this episode, we talk about how the retail electricity market is evolving, why more companies are treating energy as a strategic business decision, and what organizations should know before choosing a power supplier.

If you're a CFO, facilities manager, school administrator, hospital operator, or business owner navigating rising energy costs, this conversation is for you.

Stream Power Podcast episode 24: https://youtu.be/gVmApVVvns4

Know more about COREnergy: https://corenergy.com.ph/

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What does it take to lead one of the Philippines’ biggest power companies through the energy transition?

For Episode 23 of Power Podcast, Giles B. Puno, President and COO of First Gen Corporation, shares how the company transformed from a conventional power producer into a clean energy leader.

He discusses:
- Why natural gas remains a critical transition fuel
- First Gen’s ambition to become a global geothermal powerhouse through Energy Development Corporation
- How pumped storage can provide long-duration support for the grid
- The company’s approach to environmental stewardship and community development
- Why long-term policy certainty is essential to attract energy investments

With 92% of its installed capacity now coming from renewable energy, First Gen’s strategy offers a practical view of how the Philippines can balance reliability, affordability, and decarbonization.

Watch the full conversation now and hear firsthand how one of the country’s leading energy executives sees the future of Philippine power.

#PowerPodcast #FirstGen #renewablenergy

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What if your electricity bill could be managed like a business strategy instead of just an overhead cost?

In this episode, Power Philippines sits down with Francis del Val, President of COREnergy —an energy solutions provider in the Philippines that helps businesses optimize and manage electricity costs through data-driven insights and tailored energy strategies.

The discussion dives into how energy is shifting from a fixed expense to a controllable business lever, especially under the evolving Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) framework and the Retail Aggregation Program, which are expanding the options available to commercial and industrial users.

Del Val also explains how COREnergy uses its “My Power” platform to help clients analyze consumption patterns, reduce inefficiencies, and ultimately improve profitability, productivity, and performance.

For business leaders looking to better understand rising power costs—and how to take control of them—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Know more about COREnergy: https://corenergy.com.ph/

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