The incoming administration of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should consider one’s stand on renewable energy in choosing the next Department of Energy (DOE) chief, energy group Power for People Coalition (P4P) said.
In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, P4P said that an official’s position on renewable energy “is a primary factor that the new administration should take into account” in choosing the successor of outgoing Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi, rather than their stands with generation companies and distribution utilities.
Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that House Deputy Speaker and SAGIP partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta is being considered as the next DOE chief. Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos said that outgoing Energy Regulatory Commission chairperson Agnes Devanadera is fit for the role.
The energy consumer group said that Southeast Asian countries continue to depend on natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) in transitioning away from coal.
With the country facing a rapidly growing population and growing demand for power, P4P convenor Gerry Arances said that the country needs “affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity,” adding that the nation is already experiencing rising price of gas due to the Ukraine-Russia war.
Arances stressed that the new Energy secretary should have a proven track record in renewable energy versus the political pressure of those to “profit at the expense of consumers”
Marcos Jr. is set to take his seat as the 17th President of the country on June 30. During his campaign period, Marcos Jr. said that energy security can be achieved with the right balance of energy sources, including investments in renewable energy and the possible inclusion of nuclear power in the energy mix.
Earlier, Marcos Jr. said that he spoke with the experts of South Korea on the possible revival of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. He also mentioned the possible amendment of Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA)