An analysis of the multidimensional energy poverty index: the Philippine case
Date
2017-05-27
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Abstract
Despite the fact that there were studies that show that improving energy access contributes to
poverty alleviation, there have only been a few studies here in the Philippines that look at the status
of energy poverty. To this, we aim to introduce energy poverty in a multidimensional approach.
Through this approach, a more in-depth and targeted way can be made in order to assess the
situation and solve the problem at hand. We used the Household Energy Consumption Survey
(HECS) of 2004 and 2011 which has sufficient sample households to represent the Philippines.
Data from HECS include levels and patterns of energy consumption such as electricity access,
usage of modern energy sources, and ownership of recreational appliances. We adapted the Alkire-
Foster methodology in construction of the Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI), which
captures both the incidence and intensity of energy poverty, to assess the extent of energy poverty
in the Philippines. Using this method, the results show that MEPI exhibits a significant reduction
from 0.611 to 0.552 in 2004 to 2011 as fueled by a large decrease both in the headcount and
intensity ratio. Moreover, the population of the MEPI-poor is heavily concentrated in the rural
areas and the Mindanao region particularly in ARMM, Zamboanga Peninsula, and
SOCCSKSARGEN where the use of traditional fuels for cooking is prevalent.
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Keywords
pverty measure, poverty, energy sources, energy