The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice urged the Department of Energy to impose penalties on Visayas-based coal-fired power plants for failing to submit mandatory reliability and outage reports.
The DOE issued show-cause orders on July 7 to facilities including Cebu Energy Development Corp. Unit 3 and Therma Visayas Inc. Units 1 and 2 for violating Department Circular DC2026-02-0006.
PMCJ cited the Visayas Grid’s recent yellow and red alerts as justification for enforcement, arguing that reliance on conventional coal power leaves consumers vulnerable to higher electricity costs and supply instability.
CLIMATE advocacy groups have urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to strictly enforce penalties against Visayas-based power generation companies that failed to comply with mandatory reporting requirements on plant reliability and unplanned outages.
The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) submitted a letter to the DOE Visayas office in Cebu City on Thursday, July 16, 2026, calling for stronger enforcement after the agency issued show-cause orders to several coal-fired power plants for noncompliance with Department Circular DC2026-02-0006.
The DOE issued the show-cause orders on July 7, citing the companies’ failure to submit annual self-assessment forms and other reportorial requirements required under the circular. The reports are intended to help the agency monitor plant reliability and maintain a stable electricity supply.
Sanctions sought
In its letter, PMCJ said the DOE should impose the sanctions provided under the circular, particularly after the Visayas Grid experienced yellow and red alerts this month.
“DC 2026-02-0006 empowers the DOE with clear authority to act,” the group’s letter said. “Section 9 expressly states that non-submission of reports is grounds for administrative penalties and other applicable sanctions, including non-issuance of the Certificate of Endorsement (COE) by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) or revocation of the Certificate
of Compliance (COC).”
Among the Cebu-based facilities that received show-cause orders were Cebu Energy Development Corp. Unit 3 and Therma Visayas Inc. Units 1 and 2.
According to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the Visayas Grid was placed under a yellow alert on July 16 after available operating reserves fell below the required level, although power supply remained sufficient.
During a protest outside the DOE Visayas on Thursday, PMCJ Cebu Chapter coordinator Teodorico Navea questioned the recurring yellow alerts, which he attributed to repairs at coal-fired power plants.
“They declared a yellow alert, supposedly to repair the existing coal plants that supply electricity... How long will this continue? How long must Cebuanos endure this?” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Reliance on coal-fired power plants
The protesters also criticized the government’s continued reliance on coal-fired power plants, saying it contributes to higher electricity costs and environmental concerns. They urged authorities to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
PMCJ said continued dependence on conventional power sources tied to global fuel prices leaves consumers vulnerable to higher electricity costs.
SunStar Cebu sought comment from the DOE Visayas through an in-person visit and text messages on July 16. The office had not responded as of Thursday afternoon. / GABRIEL SOLAMO, UP CEBU INTERN
