Groups Urge Energy Secretary's Resignation Over Visayas Power Crisis

CEBU CITY — Consumer, labor, and climate groups have called for the resignation of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin as the Visayas power crisis dragged on its fifth month. The call, made in a press conference here on Thursday, came six months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency on March 24. The groups criticized the government's response, stating it has failed to stabilize power supply. They highlighted that the frequent rotating brownouts in the Visayas have severely impacted the regional economy and burdened citizens' daily lives. They argue that a lack of leadership from the Department of Energy has prolonged the crisis. This issue underscores the broader challenges of energy infrastructure vulnerability and the slow transition to renewable energy in the Philippines. The Visayas region is a significant contributor to the country's power demand, and supply disruptions there could have nationwide repercussions. For the Philippines, which relies heavily on imported energy resources, strengthening its domestic energy supply chain is an urgent priority. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo