About
Prof. Rowaldo “Wali” D. Del Mundo
Foundation Adviser
Professor Rowaldo “Wali” D. Del Mundo: Lighting the Path to Affordable and Reliable Power
By: Bernadette Dela Cruz
When people talk about electricity in the Philippines, most of the time the conversation ends with complaints: “ang mahal ng kuryente”, or “lagi may brownout.” But for Professor Wali, these problems are not just dinner-table frustrations. For decades, they have been at the center of his teaching, his research, and his public service.
From Classroom to Community
“Professor Wali” as fondly known, is not just a professor at the University of the Philippines UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, he is also the Associate Dean for Public Engagement at the UP College of Engineering. His role is exactly what it sounds – bringing the knowledge and ideas from UP out into the world where they can actually make change.
He has been at the frontlines of discussions on power systems, energy security, and electricity pricing. He even led initiatives at UP to include the Power Systems Seminar, where engineers and policymakers meet to wrestle with one of the hardest challenges of our time: how to keep the lights on without bankrupting households and without cooking the planet.
A Voice on Reducing Power Rates
In 2015, Professor Wali wrote a paper called Reducing Power Rates in the Philippines (UP CIDS). It was not just an academic talk – it was a guide on how to actually cut costs for consumers. He also gave lectures such as this one at UP CIDS, where he explained “why electricity is expensive here and what can be done to fix it.”
To him, lowering electricity rates is not just about numbers, it is about fairness. When power costs too much, businesses can not grow, schools can not function well, and families suffer. And when supply is unreliable, everything else falls apart.
Energy as the Lifeblood of the Economy
He is not afraid to bring these ideas outside the university. You will find him in media roundtables, Senate hearings, and Facebook livestreams. In a Rappler discussion, he said something that sums up his work: “energy is the lifeblood of the economy. Without it, no country can move forward.”
That is why he pushes not just for cheap energy, but also reliable and clean energy. This is exactly in line with the global conversation, at the World Bank’s push for a clean energy future.
Guarding Against Risks
Professor Wali also knows that energy is not just a technical system but also a vulnerable one. He has spoken about issues on cyberattacks on the grid and the shortage of generation capacity (BusinessWorld). These are not abstract threats; a single disruption can black out cities, hurt businesses, and even put lives at risk.
From Ideas to Action
What makes Professor Wali stand out is that he does not just stop with analysis, he engages with the government and civil society. His ideas were even recognized in Senate discussions about protecting consumers and reforming the power sector (Senate press release).
At the same time, he actively participates in public forums; he was featured at the Rappler roundtable on energy security, explaining in plain language why these issues matter; he spoke in layman terms to be understood.
Transforming the Conversation
In a country where people often feel powerless due to high electricity bills and unstable supply, Professor Wali transforms the conversation into a topic of paramount interest. He turns energy from a technical subject into a national concern, into a matter of justice and humanity.
It is not just about volts and wires. It is about giving the Filipino people a chance to live better and enjoy a more secure life.
And that is why when you hear him speak, whether in a classroom, a lecture hall, or even on a Facebook livestream, you feel that maybe the future of “power” in the Philippines can be brighter – and fairer with Professor Wali’s continued advocacy.
About the Author:
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