THE Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) urges the government to prioritize climate action and integrate more tangible climate-resilient solutions into the country’s long-term strategies, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. This push for greater urgency aims to ensure optimal results and guide Filipinos toward sustainable development.
ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz acknowledged that the call for accountability has been evident in the SONA where the President emphasized the importance of progress across all the government’s programs and the need for their impacts to directly benefit Filipinos.
The ICSC is a Philippine-based nongovernmental organization that advances climate, energy and low-carbon solutions to enable fair and climate-resilient development at the national and international levels. Dela Cruz said that the nonprofit has “continuously emphasized that prioritizing climate action will lead to better development, and an important step is to approach it holistically. These pronouncements signal that we are on the right track.” At the same time, dela Cruz pointed out that given that the Philippines is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, there has to be more beyond the usual disaster response initiatives such as evacuation centers and flood control projects. “We have to ensure that Filipino communities are protected from climate- and disaster-related risks, and that they are equipped with the right tools and approaches to adapt to climate change impacts.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on July 28, 2025. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
He lauded the Department of Energy’s facilitation of the rapid adoption of renewable energy (RE) across the country, with nearly 200 power plants scheduled for commissioning for the next three years.
Dela Cruz added that nearly 90 percent of these power plants will come from renewables, approximately 7.8 gigawatts (GW) from solar, 2.3 GW from wind and 400 megawatts (MW) from battery storage. All these signal a strong shift toward cleaner energy systems that will bring more affordable, reliable and secure power for all Filipinos.
RE acceleration
He also mentioned rooms for improvement in this area. First is the expansion of the “scope of the coal moratorium beyond greenfield coal projects, as 970 MW of the additional capacity in the next three years is still expected to come from the expansion of existing coal-fired power plants.” Another is the Siquijor power crisis which further reinforces the need for distributed power generation through RE.
“Given the Philippines’ archipelagic nature, energy planning and policymaking in the country must prioritize self-sufficiency and resilience. Decentralizing our energy systems can contribute to access to affordable and reliable electricity for both unserved and underserved areas, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” he said.
Dela Cruz agreed with the President’s SONA that the Philippines is truly worth investing in. Yet this means that the country has to ensure that its share of the global RE investments, which are accelerating, translates to societal impact: “spanning national infrastructure, locally-led and ecosystem-based approaches, people-centered transportation and decent green jobs with livable wages,” he said.
A sustainable development pathway is also necessary to deliver optimal, long-term impacts.
Ultimately, dela Cruz expressed his confidence that the Philippines is in its best position to set an example for climate action and resilience. It is the current host of the Fund responding to Loss and Damage, and preparing for the Asean Chairmanship in 2026.
“While the pronouncements made in this year’s SONA are promising, we call on the national government to have a stronger position and stand up for the most vulnerable: from calling for the long-overdue climate finance commitments of developed countries, to fostering transparency and accountability in the delivery of regional and national priorities,” he said.
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