Press Release
July 8, 2009

In pursuing renewable energy projects for the Philippines
ANGARA ENDORSES COMSTE'S FORUM
ON RENEWABLE ENERGY AND AGRICULTURE

Senator Edgardo, J. Angara today supports Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering's (COMSTE) Forum on Renewable Energy and Agriculture this coming September which aims to integrate the private sector's views on developing innovative, strategic directions and technologies and incorporate them as contribution for the incoming 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December.

"Harnessing and utilizing renewable energy is a sure investment of the country in the future as the world acts to stabilize the use of nonrenewable energies to divert into the development of new science and technologies which aim to balance economic promotion and environment protection," said Angara who the chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

The Renewable Energy and Agriculture Conference-COMSTE (REACCT) will be a two-day event bringing together international leaders in renewable energy - specifically in solar energy, wind energy, and ocean technologies - as well as local industry players to discuss current and future technologies and investment opportunities. Additionally, the conference aims to discuss prospects in agriculture, in energy and IT bringing internationally and locally-recognized individuals on biofuels, climate change, and remote sensing technologies.

The Forum also intends to submit a consolidated recommendation of the private sector about renewable energies to the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia organized by United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Renewable Energy Law or Republic Act No. 9513, authored by Senator Angara, creates leverage for the Philippines to establish and enhance a domestic clean energy industry which affect critical areas of development in science and technology - namely agriculture, information technology (IT), and electronics. Moreover, the RE law paves way in the creation of strategic programs such as this conference in order to accelerate the upgrading sustainable energy systems in the country.

Specifically, the forum has the following objectives:

a) To formulate private and non-government sector recommendations to the Manila ministerial conference on renewable energies

b) To have industries better appreciate renewable energies and the economic opportunities arising from these, with the view of enabling them to secure a share in the market for renewable energies and the opportunities it gives for wealth creation

c) To banner enterprise ideas and investment opportunities in renewable energy, and stimulate investor interest in RE in order to propagate clean development mechanisms, resource-efficient and low-carbon production patterns

d) To pave the way for the establishment of an ASEAN-wide network for renewable energy

e) To set initiatives for the creation of a research and development (R & D) institute or a cooperating network of R&D organizations for renewable energy in the Philippines

"This forum on renewable energies is an outcome of bringing to the fore the goal of achieving equilibrium for the issues on economic viability, sustainable environment and poverty reduction," said Angara.

News Latest News Feed