University of San Carlos – Department of Chemical Engineering

CHE EC13-Undergraduate Renewable Energy Production Technology

USC Chemical Engineering Student

Renewable Energy Production Technology 2017

D e p a r t m e n t o f Term/Academic Year:
Chemical Engineering Second Semester AY 2017-2018
Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines 6000

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

A reaction paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in the course

CHE EC13
Renewable Energy Production Technology
TOPIC(S): Government RE goals, policies and strategies
Laws & Issuances (RA 7156, EO 462, EO 232)

BABE EDEN JOY O. GOLLEM

January 4, 2017
University of San Carlos – Department of Chemical Engineering
CHE EC13-Undergraduate Renewable Energy Production Technology

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), Philippines still has the highest power rates in Southeast Asia as of the
end of 2016. As for the Filipino people who are the consumers, the burden comes in the form of hefty electric bills. It is
true that the geography of the country might have directly influenced this but I still think that one of the main reasons
prices are high is because of the continued dependence of the country on foreign supply of coal and petroleum oil,
instead of developing its own indigenous and widely available renewable energy supply and natural gas. Also, the feed-
in tariffs (FIT) is a partisan energy policy which passes costs to the Filipino consumers and ultimately, undermines our
country’s quest for inclusive economic growth. In this regard, our current energy policy is more of a handicap and may
cause our economy to continue trailing behind.

It is madly comforting that the government is finding means to slowly bring renewable energy (RE) into the energy mix.
However, there are still several challenges in the advancement of renewable energy in the country specifically in the
development of an adequate framework and guidelines that works for the critical parties involved and drawing of foreign
and domestic investments to fund the various renewable energy opportunities. In my opinion, these are very relevant
issues that should be addressed quickly. Further, I consider the 40-60 constitutional provision of the Philippine
constitution, that limits foreign ownership to 40 %, a significant drawback to the full implementation of the Renewable
Energy Law. But then, it would be better if the government could find initiatives to attract local investors so we do not
have to gamble on external support. Either way, the fundamental goal is to eliminate foreign dependence on energy.

Moreover, the fossil-based fuels contribute to environmental deterioration and health hazards. It is the responsibility of
the government to enforce laws and issuance that will protect the Filipino people from climate change and health
complications. More importantly, the poor are the most vulnerable in this situation and they stand to suffer if the
accountable body does not act with urgency.

Despite the number of challenges posed by the progress in the renewable energy sector of the country, we should not
be disheartened; instead, we must continue to find measures to overthrow those issues armed with the hope that,
ultimately, RE will bring the country towards realization of the benefit of a sustainable green economy.

Let us continue to tread in that direction.