TAGUIG CITY - Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Friday (10 July) exhorted the players and stakeholders of the energy sector to work closely together to ensure energy security and attain the vision of an energy independent Philippines.
Speaking at the first Philippine Energy Independence Council (PEIC) Forum on Innovation in Energy via videoconferencing, Secretary Cusi said both the government and the private sector “must band together, because in unity there is power”.
“The government can only do so much. I cannot overemphasize the support of the private sector and our energy advocates in realizing our dream of an energy secure and energy independent Philippines. Let us make it happen in our lifetime,” he said.
Secretary Cusi also told the participants that the promotion of the country’s renewable resources, which the PEIC advocates, should be pursued—but without sacrificing the achievement of the country’s energy security.
“There is a need to strike a balance between meeting our current energy needs and building a better and cleaner world for the coming generations. Reality makes us realize that we cannot sacrifice one in favor of the other,” he stressed.
Secretary Cusi said the current energy situation “leaves much to be desired.” Hence, all options in power sourcing should be considered, including the possibility of tapping nuclear energy in the future.
“This is why the DOE is looking at developing all possible energy sources, including nuclear, to help the Philippines become energy secure,” he pointed out.
But to show his full support to the full implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9513 or the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008, Secretary Cusi has ordered a periodic review of the law “to see where we are at the moment and find stronger ways to promote our indigenous resources.”
RA 9513 promotes the development of the country’s renewable resources, including the provision of additional incentives for geothermal advancement.
“We cannot be at the mercy of global market volatilities, geopolitical movements, or pandemics. This is why we must ensure that our energy agenda directly responds to the unique needs of our country's energy landscape. We cannot fit a square peg in a round hole,” he said.
The PEIC Energy forum was organized in cooperation with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (DCCP) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).
Aside from Secretary Cusi, other speakers at the event were: Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)-EC President and CEO Rozzano Briguez, PEIC Director and DCCP Chairman Don Paulino, and AC Energy President and CEO Eric Francia.
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