Lessons Learned: Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Energy Sector Reform in the Philippines
The Philippines has removed the majority of all consumer energy subsidies. This detailed case study looks into some of the factors that enabled such durable reforms.
The Philippines has removed the majority of all consumer energy subsidies, successfully phasing out most price subsidies in the downstream oil and electricity sectors in the late 1990s and resisting intermittent demands for their reintroduction.
This detailed case study looks into some of the factors that enabled such durable reforms. This includes slowly transitioning towards higher prices and the use of somewhat targeted subsidies and transfers to provide support for the country's most vulnerable consumers. The Philippines' government has also engaged in proactive efforts to articulate the rationale for price changes, monitor the deregulated market and repeatedly investigate the costs and benefits of reform through a series of high-level independent panels.
This report was originally prepared as a internal background paper to the Global Subsidies Initiative’s (GSI’s) publication A Guidebook to Fossil-fuel Subsidy Reform for Policy-Makers in Southeast Asia.
You might also be interested in
Canada Set to Provide CAD 3.93 Billion in LNG Support by The End of 2030
The governments of Canada and British Columbia are set to provide more than CAD 3.93 billion in support to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry by the end of 2030, according to a new study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Launching a Loss
New research reveals the combined public financial support for liquefied natural gas projects by the governments of British Columbia and Canada will amount to CAD 3.93 billion by 2030.
Mark Halle talks tough politics of subsidy reform
Twenty years ago, Mark Halle and his team launched the Global Subsidies Initiative to help governments reform harmful government support measures. In a new interview, Mark explains what has changed and how countries can advance subsidy reform.
Meet Three Young Canadians Building a More Sustainable Future
IISD Next is a global initiative that empowers thousands of young people to meaningfully engage in sustainable development policy. Here are just three of their stories.