MANILA — The Murang Kuryente Party-list, led by former Bohol Governor and Agriculture Secretary Atty. Art Yap, has emerged as one of the top 10 most preferred party-list groups for the 2025 national elections, according to the latest survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).
Garnering 1.88% voter preference, Murang Kuryente ranked ninth in the nationwide survey conducted from December 12 to 18, 2024.
MK partylist advocates for lower electricity rates and improved energy infrastructure, aiming to address longstanding concerns about high power costs in the country.
The survey was led by Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps), which secured the top spot with 13.51% voter preference.
ACT-CIS (5.63%) and Senior Citizens (4.62%) followed in second and third place, respectively.
Other notable groups in the top 10 include Duterte Youth (4.14%), Ako Bicol (3.56%), Tingog (2.86%), TGP (2.48%), and Uswag Ilonggo (2.20%). 1PACMAN trailed Murang Kuryente at 10th place with 1.77%.
Under the party-list system, groups receiving at least 2% of the vote are guaranteed one seat in the House of Representatives, with additional seats allocated based on vote share but capped at three seats per group.
Murang Kuryente’s inclusion in the top 10 reflects growing support for its platform of making electricity more affordable and accessible for Filipinos.
The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy, involved face-to-face interviews with 2,097 registered voters nationwide. It has a sampling error margin of ±2.1% for national results and regional margins ranging from ±3.0% to ±5.3%.
With its spot in the top 10, Murang Kuryente Party-list is positioning itself as a strong contender in the upcoming elections, appealing to voters with its clear focus on energy affordability and reforms.
MKP’s presence in Congress is crucial because they push for policies that aim to lower electricity rates, which can greatly benefit households and businesses, reports said.
By addressing issues related to energy costs, they help ensure that more Filipinos have access to affordable and reliable electricity, which is essential for economic growth and improving the quality of life, reports noted.
The Murang Kuryente Partylist (MKP) plays a vital role in the Philippine Congress by advocating for lower electricity rates.
MKP pushes for policies that aim to reduce electricity costs. Lower electricity rates can enormously benefit households, especially those with lower incomes, by reducing their monthly expenses.
Affordable electricity is also crucial for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Lower energy costs can help these businesses reduce their operating expenses, allowing them to invest more in growth and development. This, in turn, can lead to job creation and overall economic growth.
MKP also advocates for policies that promote energy security and sustainability.
By supporting the development of renewable energy sources and improving the efficiency of the energy sector, they help ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity for the country, according to reports.
MKP works to protect consumers from unfair practices and excessive charges by power companies. They push for transparency and accountability in the energy sector, ensuring that consumers are not taken advantage of, said energy observers.
By promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, MKP helps reduce the environmental impact of the energy sector. This is important for addressing climate change and protecting the environment for future generations, observers noted.
The Murang Kuryente Partylist’s efforts to lower electricity rates, promote energy security, protect consumers, and support renewable energy are crucial for the well-being of Filipinos and the country’s economic development, observers added.
High Electricity Costs Weigh Heavily on Filipino Households
The Philippines’ high electricity costs are taking a huge toll on Filipino households, with prices averaging around P9.86 pesos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of early 2022, second only to Singapore in Southeast Asia.
The country’s reliance on imported fuels, infrastructure costs, and insufficient government support are major factors contributing to the high electricity costs.
Over 50% of the Philippines’ power plants use imported fuel, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in global fuel prices and exchange rates.
The depreciation of the Philippine peso against the US dollar has further inflated these costs.
The Philippines also heavily relies on coal for electricity generation, importing approximately 75% of its coal needs, primarily from Indonesia. This dependence subjects the country to global market volatility, where rising coal prices directly translate to higher electricity rates.
The costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the electricity transmission infrastructure are significant.
Reliable power supply requires substantial investment, which is reflected in higher consumer rates.
Moreover, the lack of government subsidies for electricity production means that consumers bear the full cost of these expenses.
The country faces challenges with inadequate generation capacity, leading to power shortages that increase generation costs. This situation necessitates higher prices as utilities strive to meet demand efficiently.
The high cost of electricity has profound implications for Filipino families.
Rising electricity bills contribute to an overall increase in living expenses, making it difficult for households to balance these costs with other essential needs such as food and healthcare.
Many families allocate a big portion of their income to pay for electricity, which limits their ability to spend on other necessities like education and health care.
To cope with high electricity costs, many families resort to limiting their energy consumption. This includes using fewer appliances or opting for energy-efficient practices, which can affect their quality of life and comfort at home.
Provincial disparities in electricity rates also exist, with some areas paying as much as P19.01 pesos per kWh, reports said.
Rural areas often face even higher rates despite lower average incomes, exacerbating inequalities in access to affordable energy.
The high cost of electricity in the country is a complex issue that requires comprehensive policy changes aimed at diversifying energy sources and improving infrastructure efficiency while considering the economic realities faced by everyday Filipinos, according to a World Bank research.
The government must address these challenges to ensure that electricity is affordable and accessible to all Filipinos, and to promote sustainable economic growth and development, the research said.