Visayas bishop urges shift to clean energy as blackouts persist

SAN CARLOS Bishop Gerardo Alminaza characterized the ongoing electricity crisis gripping the Visayas as a critical "systemic warning" that demands urgent structural changes to the region's power infrastructure. In statements released Monday, Alminaza emphasized that repeated brownouts are creating cascading disruptions across essential services, including hospitals, educational institutions, and commercial establishments that form the backbone of the regional economy.

The prelate's intervention comes as the Visayas grapples with persistent power supply challenges that have intensified pressure on energy authorities to identify quick solutions. Rather than endorsing temporary fixes rooted in conventional energy sources, Alminaza advocated for stakeholders in the power sector to prioritize the development of a comprehensive clean energy roadmap tailored to the region's needs.

The bishop's appeal reflects growing concerns among civil society leaders that short-term responses to the power crisis risk entrenching fossil fuel dependency and missing opportunities to build a more resilient, sustainable energy system. Industry observers note that the Visayas, with its geographical advantages and climate conditions, holds significant potential for renewable energy development that could address both immediate supply gaps and long-term sustainability goals.

Energy officials have not yet responded to the bishop's call for sector-wide reforms, though the power crisis continues to draw scrutiny from local government units and business groups across the region.