THROUGH TECH TRANSFER, EU CAN HELP PHL
RE INDUSTRY GROW- ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara underscored the importance of technology transfer and R&D for the Philippines to make the transition toward utilizing renewable energy sources.

Angara, author of the RE Law of 2008 (RA 9516), made the statement during a press conference at the 1st EU-Philippines Dialogue on Energy, reiterating the huge potential of RE sources throughout the country.

"If these resources are fully tapped, we can provide for almost all our future electricity and power needs," said Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. "Of course, that requires not only massive amounts of investment but also meaningful technology transfer."

The veteran lawmaker said he thinks the EU is probably the most advanced in terms of both policy applications and R&D for RE.

"This is why I think this undertaking between the EU and the Philippines is a very wonderful initiative and should not just be a one-off affair. We turn to them to invest in our RE industry, but more so to create the opportunity for us to share the information and technical wisdom to venture into newer RE technologies."

During the same press conference, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that the Philippines is a very ideal venue for ocean technology, noting that many of the world's largest ocean technology facilities are found in Europe.

In an earlier presentation, Almendras cited the innovation cluster initiative of the Congressional Commission on Science & Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) as a possible opportunity for the country to undertake R&D for helping making energy projects more economically viable.

Chaired by Angara, COMSTE has been pushing for the establishment of innovation clusters--public-private partnerships among government, the academe and industry to conduct R&D for solving national issues.

Angara added, "I'm optimistic that many RE experts in the EU are willing to collaborate with our government agencies, universities and even our industries in conducting research and tech transfer."

"But we at home must first get ourselves organized and lay down the firm foundation for meaningful international collaboration to allow R&D to flourish. Anyway, R&D nowadays ought to be global-- born out of an international network. There is no need to reinvent the wheel if that wheel has already been developed in Spain, Germany, France, or in Austria."