Senate President Win Gatchalian said the Philippines should sustain its energy transition efforts despite easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following the U.S.–Iran framework agreement.
Gatchalian said the country must remain focused on strengthening long-term energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, even as global oil supply risks temporarily ease.
He renewed his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 366, or the Energy Transition Act, which seeks to establish a national framework for the shift toward cleaner energy sources.
The measure promotes the adoption of renewable energy, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and defines the roles of government agencies in implementing transition policies across the power and transport sectors.
“Kailangan nating mabawasan ang pagdepende ng bansa sa inaangkat na langis upang maprotektahan ang ekonomiya laban sa anumang posibleng panibagong oil crisis o biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Kaya mahalagang magkaroon tayo ng isang malinaw at maayos na energy transition plan,” Gatchalian said.
Beyond energy security, Gatchalian said a structured transition plan would also support the Philippines’ climate commitments, including its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of reducing and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent from 2020 to 2030.