For the Philippines, this touches on twin concerns of protection of the environment on the one hand, and the pursuit of economic growth on the other. Ultimately, energy is an issue that centers on people, and we as advocates of citizen empowerment try not to lose sight of this end.
Still, we try. All these efforts to lower our carbon emissions and gradually increase our use of renewable energy hinge on the fact that extreme weather conditions affect vulnerable populations. Those who live in low-lying areas, especially in communities that are hardly able to prepare for the disaster or have little capability to recover fast from them, have much to lose. Lives and livelihoods are at stake.
How, then, do we continue to sustain the energy requirements of the country while also scaling down on our use of cheap but polluting fuel, as we move toward the ultimate goal of increasing the percentage of RE in the power mix? “We call on the support of our stakeholders and partners in the private sector to assist us in creating a resilient, self-reliant, and sustainable energy future for the Philippines,” he said.
To address these challenges effectively, there is a need for the immediate passage of the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act and the Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act. These pending bills when enacted into law will provide the framework to attract the right investors, ensure transparent pricing mechanisms, and establish cost-saving measures that protect consumers from market volatility.