MANILA, (PIA) -- Amplifying the call for a decisive and complete energy transformation, next generation leaders and leading political figures convened on Sunday for Vision 20/30, an online press conference in the Philippines.
"The time is now to implement the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and the Green Energy Auctions… our country needs climate smart industries." Javi Benitez, son of former House of Representative member and esteemed business leader Albee Benitez, said in his keynote to represent the youth sector.
This echoes the Toyota Motor Philippines declaration of support for the full and rapid implementation of the GEOP, a policy under the Renewable Energy Act in 2008, that was signed into law by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which has since remained unimplemented. The GEOP allows smaller commercial and industrial energy consumers to directly procure 100% renewable energy.
A recent article by the global think tank World Resources Institute, tackles the benefits of a concrete and time-bound energy transformation and espouses that this is a pathway towards faster and better recovery after the pandemic.
"Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alverez, in her keynote speech, emphasized her belief that, "this is an opportune moment to intensify our action on the climate crisis and begin shifting to sustainable cities by shifting our investments to renewable power source and pave the way for economic growth."
Luzon has been beset by rotating blackouts since June 2. In the first half of 2021 alone, 17 power-generating companies went offline and breached their plant outage allowances as a result of the so-called manual load dropping to preserve power grid stability. Rolling blackouts, which historically only happen in the hottest months of March and April when hydropower plants underperform due to water supply scarcity, have continued well through August, disrupting school and work for millions.
Answering the perennial issue on energy supply and energy security particularly ahead of a crucial 2022, national leaders voiced out their stand and path forward. The May 2022 national elections will see at least 4 million first-time voters, most of whom are increasingly climate-aware youth. This number — about 10% of total votes cast in 2016— is significant, meaning climate policy and ambitious renewable energy plans could be decisive in the election’s outcome.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, for his part, believes that "we need to focus on the development of renewable energy especially solar, wind, hydro, ocean wave and geothermal —resources which are abundant in our country but tapped improperly and inadequately."
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in responding to the call for increased consumer choice, has stated that he has recently filed Senate Bill 2219 which seeks to remove the 100kW cap to allow large electricity consumers to avail of the net-metering program and encourage renewable energy investments.
Closing the event, Javi Benitez, put forward these policy asks towards a coherent and complete energy transformation: Removal of the automatic pass-throughs in power contracts, the immediate launch of an ambitious renewable energy auctions, the expansion of retail choice in electricity market and the mobilization of state-owned banks to finance the energy transformation and climate action.
Vice President Leni Robredo, in her video commentary, said that she has faith that this effort is only the beginning of a larger, more strategic, more intensified push for a more climate forward agenda. (PIA-NCR)
