QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), a sustainability think tank, on Thursday hailed the filing of House Resolution No. 2361 by Energy Committee Chair and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo.

The resolution calls on the House Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to assess the country’s renewable energy targets to achieve the Philippines’ transition to 50% renewable energy (RE) sources by 2030, and urges the Department of Energy (DOE) and other relevant government bodies to examine and introduce necessary action in raising the country’s RE ambitions.

“We have long sought for a comprehensive public discussion on the matter of the Philippines’ transition to 50% RE by 2030 to ensure that all government agencies and policies are in sync to achieve this goal. We thank Representative Macapagal Arroyo for his action to help achieve this platform,” said Avril de Torres, head of CEED’s Research, Policy, and Legal team.

The Philippines, despite being one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, is heavily dependent on coal in its energy mix, and is also looking to massively expand its fossil gas capacity.

“This resolution is a timely response to the outcomes of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow. Despite many limitations that keep pledges and action plans made from sufficiently contributing to reaching the 1.5°C ambition, COP 26 sent a clear signal that moving away from coal and restricting the financing and development of fossil fuels must be a global priority. With this resolution, the Philippines is making its first move in raising its climate ambitions even as debates on energy transition in the global community linger,” said De Torres.

In the resolution, the Energy Committee Chair cited key studies, including one led by the Department of Energy, affirming that a renewable energy target of 50% is achievable by the year 2030 - a midterm target for the goal of 100% RE share by 2050.

Arroyo expressed "the sense of the House of Representatives on the need for immediate and urgent action, and increased ambition, in the country’s efforts to ensure energy security, accessibility, sustainability, and affordability, and in the country’s adaptation and mitigation actions against climate change."

According to De Torres, raising renewable energy ambitions is a clear step the DOE must take to prove true that, as Secretary Cusi previously stated, the “Philippine energy sector is committed to the successful completion of the energy transition process, while upholding the welfare and best interests of Filipino energy consumers.”

“I hope that given the current price hikes in everything from fossil fuels to basic commodities, this hearing will be held as soon as possible to ease the burdens of Filipino consumers,” said de Torres. (CEED/PIA-NCR)