TAGUIG CITY - The Department of Energy (DOE) underscored the crucial role of energy in spurring sustainable economic development in the country during today’s Philippine Energy Independence Council (PEIC)-European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines virtual forum on energy transition.

With the theme, “Philippine Energy Transition: A Race through Economic Disruption, Technology Shifts and Innovation”, the forum featured discussions on how providing greater energy opportunities for the Filipino people could help the country attain energy independence and security. 

“There will always be a strong interrelationship between energy and economic development. Ensuring that we have sufficient, stable, and accessible energy supply and services to support progress, particularly our economic recovery efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, entails strong collaboration among all our energy stakeholders,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in his keynote message delivered by DOE Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino P. Posadas.

The Energy chief further emphasized that among the strategies the DOE has been pursuing in “securing our energy future” is the “development and utilization of all, most especially our indigenous energy resources, while working to increase the attractiveness of the country as an energy investment destination”. 

Key government officials as well as energy sector experts and professionals led a series of panel discussions on the Philippine energy market’s growth forecast for 2021 and its implications on energy independence, the need for a new energy order that will empower global sustainable energy transition, building sustainable and smart cities through energy innovations, and sustainable energy value chain and energy technology. Notable speakers included Senate Committee on Energy Chairperson Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian,  PEIC Chairman and Philippine National Oil Company - Exploration Corporation CEO Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez, PEIC President Don Paulino, and PEIC Executive Director Amor Maclang.

Launched in September 2019, the PEIC is the first formal association in the Philippines committed to achieve the country’s energy independence by tapping both public and private sectors to explore new indigenous, renewable and cleaner energy options. 

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