Photo Courtesy of Leo Sabangan/350 Pilipinas
As the Philippines celebrated its 127th Independence Day, the “Sayang ang Araw: Gawing Mura ang Solar” campaign emphasized that freedom also means empowering Filipinos with access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
Launched on June 11 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, the campaign brought together civil society organizations, renewable energy advocates, industry representatives, and community members in calling for reforms that would accelerate rooftop solar adoption across the country. While FSSI did not participate in the launch event, the Foundation proudly supports the campaign as one of its partner organizations, alongside the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), 350 Pilipinas, New Energy Nexus Philippines, the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), Asia Engine for Next Zero (AENZ), Clean Energy Advocates Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CEAAPI), Mindanao Goes Solar Movement, Oxfam Pilipinas, PHILSSA, AktivAsia Philippines, Pinoy Aksyon, and WWF Philippines.
The campaign advocates for concrete policy reforms that will make rooftop solar more affordable and accessible. These include removing value-added tax and import duties on solar systems and components, strengthening net metering implementation, streamlining permitting and interconnection processes, supporting real property tax incentives, and expanding access to affordable financing. Together, these measures seek to enable more Filipino households, businesses, schools, local government units, and communities to harness solar energy while reducing electricity costs and building a cleaner and more resilient energy future.
Campaign partners highlighted that the Philippines has immense untapped solar potential. According to the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities’ SPECTRUM tool, major urban areas and economic zones alone have an estimated 106 gigawatts of rooftop solar potential, yet only 0.5 percent has been utilized. PSSEA President Ping Mendoza noted that the country’s technical rooftop solar potential is nearly six times greater than the current national peak electricity demand, emphasizing that abundant energy is already available “falling from the sky every single day.”
Speakers also emphasized that the transition to clean energy should involve everyone—not only utilities and government, but also ordinary Filipinos, local entrepreneurs, schools, cooperatives, installers, local government units, and communities. Quezon City’s ongoing solarization program was cited as an example of local leadership, with more than 600 solar panels installed across three major public buildings, generating annual savings of around ₱1.5 million that have been redirected to improve public services such as daycare centers. The city also noted that fully utilizing viable rooftops could generate up to three times its current energy demand.
The launch also featured the reading of the Manifesto for Affordable, Reliable, and Resilient Solar Energy, led by environmentalist and UN Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador Antoinette Taus. Framed around the spirit of Independence Day, the manifesto called for “a new kind of freedom”—freedom from high electricity prices and a future where clean energy is within reach of every Filipino. The event concluded with the unveiling of the “Sayang ang Araw! Gawing Mura ang Solar!” campaign banner and a public invitation to support the petition for reforms that will make rooftop solar more accessible nationwide.
As a campaign partner, FSSI affirms that expanding access to renewable energy is essential to building resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods. By supporting policies that make solar energy more affordable and accessible, the Foundation continues to champion solutions that empower communities, strengthen social enterprises, and contribute to a more inclusive and climate-resilient Philippines.
Those who wish to support the campaign may sign the petition at https://letsgorenewable.ph/sayangangaraw
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
“Sayang Ang Araw, Gawing Mura ang Solar” is a public engagement and policy advocacy campaign that seeks to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in the Philippines by removing cost and regulatory barriers. It promotes rooftop solar as a practical pathway toward affordable, reliable, and resilient energy, while advancing energy independence for Filipino households, businesses, and communities.
