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The Philippine electricity sector reform and the urban question: How metro Manila's utility is tackling urban poverty

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  • Mouton, Morgan

Abstract

In the early 2000s, the Philippine government reformed its electricity sector following neoliberal principles: unbundling of the power industry, privatisation of assets and commodification of electricity. This paper shows that the reform was primarily driven by the need to secure electricity supply and cut down tariffs. These national objectives ousted other issues, and notably those that find their expression at the urban level, among which the question of access to electricity in Metro Manila's urban poor communities. The central state withdrew its attention from the issue of electrification, and local actors had to react as they were confronted to social tensions and practices of pilferage. As a consequence, city governments and local administrations are getting involved in this issue, which opens the way to participation of civil society. This paper shows how the “rolling back” of the central state led to new partnerships and arrangements between the distribution utility, local governments and community organisations. This movement points to an urbanisation of energy issues, which could bring positive results for end-users provided that it is accompanied by a clearer regulatory framework.

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  • Mouton, Morgan, 2015. "The Philippine electricity sector reform and the urban question: How metro Manila's utility is tackling urban poverty," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 225-234.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:78:y:2015:i:c:p:225-234
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.11.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. David Hall & Tue Anh Nguyen, 2017. "Electricity Liberalisation in Developing Countries," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 17(2), pages 99-115, April.
    5. Sara Meerow, 2017. "Double exposure, infrastructure planning, and urban climate resilience in coastal megacities: A case study of Manila," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 49(11), pages 2649-2672, November.
    6. Eitan, Avri, 2023. "How are public utilities responding to electricity market restructuring and the energy transition? Lessons from Israel," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    7. Morgan Mouton, 2021. "Worlding infrastructure in the global South: Philippine experiments and the art of being ‘smart’," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(3), pages 621-638, February.
    8. Ong, Ardvin Kester S. & Prasetyo, Yogi Tri & Kishimoto, Ryuichi T. & Mariñas, Klint Allen & Robas, Kirstien Paola E. & Nadlifatin, Reny & Persada, Satria Fadil & Kusonwattana, Poonyawat & Yuduang, Nat, 2023. "Determining factors affecting customer satisfaction of the national electric power company (MERALCO) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Phillippines," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).

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