In a visit to Laguna, Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin spotlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening public–private collaboration as she toured Aboitiz Renewables’ Makiling-Banahaw (MakBan) Geothermal Power Facility and Cleanergy Center. 

The visit highlighted MakBan’s long-standing role in delivering clean baseload power to Luzon and its contribution to national decarbonization goals.

AboitizPower President and CEO Danel Aboitiz and Aboitiz Renewables President Jimmy Villaroman led the briefing for Secretary Garin, who noted that the Department of Energy aims to work closely with industry partners to accelerate the country’s energy transition. 

“The government is not just here to regulate. We are here to enable, partner with, and support you every step of the way,” she said. “Together, we’ll continue to craft policies, create platforms, and build partnerships that lead us to achieve our energy goals.”

MakBan, a 338.8-megawatt facility and one of the country’s largest and oldest geothermal plants, has been supplying reliable power for more than four decades. Adjacent to the site, a battery energy storage system is under construction in Bay, Laguna, and is expected to become the first hybrid installation pairing BESS with geothermal generation once completed.

Aboitiz Renewables briefed the Energy Secretary on its diversified portfolio across geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and battery energy storage assets. Villaroman said the company views renewables as central to long-term grid resilience and the country’s sustainability goals. 

“We believe that renewables are not just a necessary part of the future — they are the future,” he said. “For us, every kilowatt we deliver is a contribution to our customers, to the power system, and to a more sustainable and resilient Philippines.”

The visit also included a tour of the Cleanergy Center, an education hub that promotes awareness of renewable technologies among students and local communities. Secretary Garin commended Aboitiz Renewables and its partners for their efforts in operating the geothermal facilities and developing new projects. 

“May this inspire continued collaboration between the government, host communities and the private sector in advancing clean and green energy for all Filipinos,” she said.

According to the DOE, engagements such as the MakBan visit are part of ongoing efforts to push the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050, including the target of reaching a 50% renewable energy share in the power generation mix by 2040.

How can public–private collaboration further strengthen the Philippines’ progress toward a resilient and renewable energy system?

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