- Schneider Electric said electrification, digitalization, and automation are already proving foundational for long-term resilience across the regions.
- The company added that energy resilience has become a business imperative, as rapid development, tightening grid conditions, and global shifts highlight the need for reliable and efficient infrastructure to support long-term competitiveness.
- Cross-sector collaboration is critical to scaling solutions, with Innovation Day Cebu serving as a platform to strengthen partnerships and advance sustainable infrastructure development.
The Philippines’ energy challenges have long persisted, but the growing pace of investments, infrastructure expansion, and increasing power demands across the Visayas and Mindanao have made the need for smarter solutions more urgent. In response, Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technology with nearly 190 years of innovation, is working alongside industries, building owners, and government agencies in the regions to advance more resilient energy systems through electrification, digitalization, and automation. During Innovation Day Philippines 2026: Powering Progress through Future-Ready Industries, held on June 24 at Bai Hotel in Mandaue City, the company showcased how these strategies can help drive sustainable progress across various sectors.
As the Visayas and Mindanao continue to draw investments and accelerate infrastructure development, the technologies underpinning this growth are advancing as well. Schneider Electric said it is supporting this transformation by promoting electrification, digitalization, and automation, which have become key drivers of long-term resilience and sustainable development across both regions.
“Together, this strategy provides organizations with greater visibility and control over energy use, enabling a more responsive and efficient approach to operations,” said Ireen Catane, Country President of Schneider Electric Philippines. “As energy reliability becomes increasingly critical, these capabilities help improve operational performance and efficiency.”
Building on the region’s momentum
As development accelerates, Visayas and Mindanao are already building the infrastructure foundation for long-term growth.
In Visayas, investment approvals reached PHP 27.96 billion across 22 projects in 2024, along with developments such as the New Cebu International Container Port and upgrades to the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. In Mindanao, World Bank-approved projects are expected to improve transport connectivity and health services for at least 19 million Filipinos. As these developments progress, their continued success will depend on energy infrastructure that is resilient, efficient, and intelligent; and managing demand has become as important as securing supply.
Recent power outlooks show the Visayas grid may continue experiencing yellow alerts despite imports from Luzon and Mindanao, while Mindanao’s reserve margins are also expected to tighten in coming years. Energy resilience is becoming a key factor in business continuity and long-term competitiveness across both regions.
Global pressures
During the event, Schneider Electric highlighted three global forces: rising electricity demand outpacing grid expansion, rapid digital transformation, and shifting supply chains that favor resilient and efficient regions. The company said sustainability has become a business requirement tied to efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness.
“Visayas and Mindanao are already in this environment. By understanding where and how energy is consumed, organizations in these regions can make better decisions that reduce costs, improve reliability, and support growth,” said Harold Lim, Country Solutions Head of Schneider Electric Philippines.
The case for collaborations
Innovation Day Philippines 2026 convened industry leaders, government officials, and developers for a day of dialogue on the future of energy and infrastructure in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Atty. Kvyn Honoridez delivered the keynote message on behalf of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, alongside Atty. Nancy Fajardo, Executive Director of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Their addresses were followed by segment spotlights on grid modernization, urban development, and manufacturing automation.
Panel discussions and fireside chats featured Hon. Greg Gasataya, Mayor of Bacolod City; Anton Perdices, Chief Operations Officer – Distribution Utilities, AboitizPower Corporation; Engr. JP Claudio, Visayas and Mindanao Operations Director, Ayala Property Management Corporation; Engr. April Joy Medico, Economic Zone Deputy Administrator, Mactan Economic Zone; Felix Taguiam, Regional Governor for Central Visayas, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Allan Roy Calderon, SVP – Corporate Solutions Head, UnionBank of the Philippines, alongside Schneider Electric leaders. The event concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate on pilot projects and regional initiatives.
Building a more resilient energy future for the regions will take more than technology, it will need collaboration across government, regulators, and industry partners. “Strengthening partnerships across the public and private sectors is key to building systems that support long-term growth,” said Atty. Norman Ocana III, Head of Government Affairs of Schneider Electric Philippines.
With investments continuing to grow alongside increasing energy demands, the adoption of electrification, digitalization, and automation has become more essential than ever. Through Innovation Day in Cebu, Schneider Electric highlighted how these technologies can be implemented at scale, while showcasing the Visayas and Mindanao as key drivers of the country’s energy transition.
Recognized by TIME Magazine and Statista as the world’s most sustainable company for three consecutive years, and honored by Corporate Knights and Sustainability Magazine for its leadership in sustainability, Schneider Electric continues to support industries and institutions around the world in expanding access to clean electricity, lowering carbon emissions, and improving operational resilience.
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