Press Release
May 9, 2008

After a series of increases in oil prices and electricity rates,
ANGARA BATS FOR THE IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL

With Filipino consumers bearing continuous adjustments in oil prices and electricity rates, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today cites the importance of tapping new and renewable indigenous energy resources in the country.

"We are situated on the periphery of the Asia-Pacific belt which exhibits a vast well-mapped potential for NRE resources. By expanding our renewable energy resources, we will be able to meet our country's energy requirements and at the same time address our environmental and economic concerns." explained Angara, who also chairs Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies.

These indigenous NRE include, among others, biomass, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and ocean energy, and other emerging energy sources are considered as both clean sources of energy and a viable alternative to providing electricity to off-grid barangays.

At present, the Philippines is already a major user of NREs. The alternative energy source contributes about 28% of the total energy requirements in the country.

Angara added that "there are still untapped sources all over the country" citing the 70,000 MW potential wind energy source, 169 watts/ m2 solar energy, 27.8 MW potential aggregate micro-hydro power, 265 million MW ocean energy potential and the biomass potential which will save us over 80 million barrel of fuel oil equivalent in the next 4 years.

"The Renewable Energy Act aims to address the perennial problem of high electricity tariff and speed up the extension of service coverage to all barangays by 2010 and the connection of all potential consumers by 2018," Angara said.

He added, "More than that, these energy sources are safer to the environment so we are addressing two of our major problems in the country."

Under Senate Bill 211 or the Renewable Energy Resources Act of 2007, a decentralized, area-based and integrated energy program for the promotion, production, commercialization, and utilization of renewable energy systems shall be developed and institutionalized. To promote renewable energy in the country, entities and stakeholders engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and use of renewable energy will be provided benefits and incentives.

With the alternative and renewable sources of energy soon to be the next mainstream in energy generation, government-led efforts at exploring and developing green energy should be vigorously encouraged and promoted.

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