The acceleration of the exploration and development of renewable energy sources is the country’s top policy direction. This includes the achievement of self-reliance to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuel and to minimize the country’s exposure to price fluctuations. With these is the adoption of clean energy to mitigate climate change and promote socio economic development in the rural areas.
This was discussed Usec. Felix William Fuentebella of the Department of Energy during the 43rd Alumni Institute hosted by UP Visayas on May 18, 2019 at the UPV Auditorium, Iloilo City campus.
Fuentebella also emphasized on the Government’s Policy on the Regional Energy Program that plans of increasing the Renewable Energy-based capacity by 200% within the next 20 years, double the hydro capacity, and expansion of the contribution of biomass, solar and ocean energy to the country’s energy base.
In May 7 of this, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act or Republic Act, 11285 which was signed on April 5, 2019 was released. This act would “Institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation as a national way of life geared towards the efficient and judicious utilization of energy by formulating, developing and implementing energy efficiency and conservation plans and programs.”
By having this, it would “secure sufficiency and stability of energy supply in the country to cushion the impact of high prices of imported fuels to local markets and protect the environment in support of the economic and social development goals of the country.”
