The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) expressed support for Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla amid complaints alleging violations of the moratorium on coal-fired power plants.
“We recognize the excellent work that Secretary Lotilla is doing. We support the directions he is taking to achieve energy security and affordability for the country, the two key components to bring in investments, expand domestic enterprises, and enhance our productivity and competitiveness,” the PCCI said in a statement.
The group said the moratorium explicitly applies to new greenfield power generation projects and does not impact existing or committed coal-fired power plants, those with firm expansion plans or projects with significant progress.
It also endorsed the DOE’s comprehensive energy strategy, recognizing coal’s continued importance for economic growth while transitioning to cleaner alternatives.
The PCCI cautioned against adopting western policies that may not be suitable for the Philippine context while expressing concerns over the potential damage the allegations could inflict on the DOE and the entire energy industry, potentially deterring foreign direct investments.
The business group stressed the urgent need to prioritize energy security and resilience, citing recent incidents such as the Panay power outage, summer alerts and Typhoon Carina-related disruptions.
The PCCI, a non-government organization, is the umbrella group of business associations in the Philippines.
