To enable the Philippines to keep pace with the development of the global economy and ensure sufficient but low-cost power supply, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is considering full exploration of renewable-energy (RE) resources.
Marcos pointed out that due to its geographic location and being archipelagic, the country is rich in RE resources that could provide more than sufficient power supply once explored and tapped properly.
“We must explore other energy resources, like wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and ocean energy sources, gaya nung windmill farm sa Bangui, Ilocos Norte na ngayon ay nag-susupply ng 40 percent ng electricity needs ng probinsiya. We have to break our dependence on imported crude oil for our households and industries to enjoy low-cost and uninterrupted power supply kasi hindi lang foreign investors, kungdi pati mga negosyante natin mismo. Dapat mas mura ang kuryente at reliable para makasabay tayo sa development ng global economy,” he said.
In 2018, the top 5 countries with the highest power rates in terms of kilowatt hour (kWh) surveyed in Asia are Japan (P12.31 per kWh); Philippines (P8.96 per kWh); Singapore (P8.83 per kWh); Hong Kong (P6.53 per kWh); and Thailand (P6.23 per kWh). Philippines had the second-highest power costs in Asia at P8.96 per kWh.
The presidential aspirant further said that he will push for a 100 percent household electrification because everyone must have access to electricity since it is a very essential part of the world today.
“Access to electricity is essential for improving access to health services, gaya ngayong may Covid, kailangan may kuryente to ensure safe storage of vaccines. Ang mga bahay kailangan ng kuryente para sa ilaw, sa mga appliances. Para magkaroon din ng access to information through media and communication technologies, kailangan ng kuryente,” he added.
Marcos also stressed that the ultimate solution to the rising cost of crude oil that overwhelms the government’s efforts to control the prices of basic commodities would be the full exploration of all potential RE sources in the country.
“The pandemic has changed the energy landscape. Just like any country reeling from it, we should learn to adapt to this new environment. I, for one, have always been a proponent of renewable energy and I believe that it will play a crucial role not only in our recovery but in the country’s future as well,” he said.
Image courtesy of JOEY RAZON PNA