Press Release
February 27, 2012

ANGARA: IMPLEMENT RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT NOW

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the government to speed up the implementation of the Renewable Energy Act which passed in 2008 in support of the country's fledgling RE industry.

"We have one of the most comprehensive renewable energy frameworks in the world. It was a remarkable piece of legislation when it was passed four years ago--however, it remains remarkable only on paper," lamented Angara.

"It was a landmark act. However it wasn't fully implemented even after 2009," agreed Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. He explained that in order to take off, the renewable energy projects being initiated by the government should be economically viable.

According to Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, we should seek out renewable resources and clean energy in the face of scarcity of fuel and climate change.

"Are we putting together the necessary infrastructure to cope with the increasing energy needs of the country? How do we meet this growing demand?" he asked.

Angara said the growing public outcry over exorbitant power prices in the Philippines--one of the highest in Asia--should serve as a catalyst to fast track the development of non-traditional sources of energy available in the country.

"The only way to overcome this problem is by increasing the supply of power so that the electricity providers lower their cost. We should take this opportunity to test the Philippine model of sustainable development based on our limitless renewable energy sources," he explained.

European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux agreed with the veteran senator's statement, saying, "The Philippines is nearing a position to become a leader of renewable energy. This forum is a reminder that foreign expertise is available to help the Philippines."

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