The Department of Energy (DOE) is in the process of preparing its comprehensive report for the incoming administration of presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
The report is expected to be handed by outgoing Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi to his successor, who has yet to be formally named.
In a briefing with reporters on Friday, Energy Usec. Felix William Fuentebella said the report will include the DOE’s accomplishments under the administration of outgoing Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, as well as outline pressing issues in the country’s energy sector.
“[There] are really pressing issues that we have to attend to, including what is happening in the international community, the resiliency of the country, as far as the development of our indigenous and clean sources are concerned,” Fuentebella said.
“Sec. Cusi has been focusing on the energy trilemma – yung access natin sa energy, sa security, and sa environment aspect,” Fuentebella added.
A key term used in the report is energy transition, which became a buzzword in the energy sector since the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the United Kingdom late last year. During the global event, the Asian Development Bank launched its partnership with the Philippine government for the energy transition mechanism.
“We are undergoing an energy transition already. That is why we have a big push for other technologies, not only for nuclear, but also a big push for the renewables because at the end of the day, it’s the indigenous and clean sources that we really have to focus on because we are undergoing international issues that affect our country,” said Fuentebella, a COP26 participant.
The outgoing administration pushed for nuclear power to become part of the country’s energy mix. Duterte signed Executive Order 164 or the country’s nuclear energy policy on February 28. Fuentebella hopes the next Congress would tackle the policy.
As for Cusi’s successor, Fuentebella said the DOE “will leave it to the wisdom of the incoming president on whom to appoint.” This comes amid images circulating in social media that House Committee on Energy chairman and Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo would be the next secretary.
