Presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has raised the possibility of increasing the number of renewable energy infrastructures to power up more off-grid island communities in the country.
It was reported that electricity supply issues bother the residents of Tablas Island.
Lacson acknowledged the potential of solar energy and biomass as viable alternative solutions to address the island’s electrification needs, which he plans to deliver by investing more into research and development.
“If we are going to pour more funds into research and development like the other countries, our scientists and researchers will not get out of the country. They can harness things like solar (power),” Lacson said.
The senator said his determination to push for alternative energy solutions is strongly influenced by Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which was passed during the 14th Congress to promote, develop, utilize and commercialize clean sources of electricity.
Under both the Tax Code and RA 9513, the sale of power generated through renewable energy sources is considered zero-rated, thus no VAT should be passed onto consumers. The decision was made to encourage more investors to venture into renewable energy development projects.
According to Lacson, the Philippines has been relying heavily into coal-fired power plants, covering 57 percent of its total share in the country’s overall energy mix, based on the 2020 data of the Department of Energy (DOE).
This is often more expensive since the Philippines imports at least 65 percent of its coal consumption from other countries. Lacson suggested it might make more sense if we can harness the power of the sun, especially during the dry seasons.
He also aims to tap biomass energy resources as several studies show that the Philippines has an abundant supply of it mostly derived from agricultural crop and forest residues, animal and agro-industrial waste, among other potential sources.
Lacson meanwhile vowed to help the tourism industry in Romblon bounce back from the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic under his administration.
Lacson gave this commitment, Monday, during his visit to the Odiongan Municipal Tourism Office in the island province of Romblon, alongside his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ and their senatorial candidate Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Piñol.
Speaking to reporters representing Romblon-based media outlets, Lacson connected his plans to develop tourism areas nationwide with his flagship Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) program.
“That (BRAVE) is what we need, kasi hindi na-di-distribute ‘yung resources ng government, naiipon lagi sa national (because the resources of government are not being distributed properly, but are stored at the national level),” Lacson said.
According to Lacson, through the judicious spending of the national budget and its equitable distribution to local government units, no domestic industries would be left behind. Most residents in areas identified as tourism zones rely on the influx of local and foreign tourists for their livelihood.
In the capital town of Romblon, there were local restaurants killed by the COVID-19 pandemic due to lack of patrons, who are mostly visitors from Manila or travelers from abroad. Some fortunately survived and are in the process of bringing their business operations back to pre-pandemic levels.
“What I can offer sa Romblon [is] the same [as] what I will offer the other far-flung, mga isolated na mga municipalities and provinces na laging umaasa na lang sa—namamalimos sa national government pagdating ng mga projects,” Lacson said.
[What I can offer to Romblon is the same as what I will offer to the other far-flung, isolated municipalities and provinces that are always depending, almost to the point of begging, our national government when it comes to projects.]
Meanwhile, Lacson also reiterated his position in favor of responsible mining to protect the natural beauty of our environment such as in Sibuyan Island, which, according to some reporters, is frequently targeted by mining companies and operators.
Sibuyan has been dubbed by many local and international natural scientists as the ‘Galapagos of Asia’ due to its unmolested ecosystem and rich biodiversity of plant and animal life, which are constantly under threat from mining activities.
As far as Lacson is concerned, an ‘executive privilege’ cannot be invoked by any mining firm to justify its intention to conduct mineral extractions whether large- or small-scale in a particular protected area.
“Marami dapat makinabang sa mga mining operations kung maayos ‘yung paggawa [at] hindi na-da-damage ‘yung environment and yet, in terms of revenues makikinabang ‘yung mga tao, ‘di ba? Ganoon dapat,” the senator said.
[There are lots of sectors who should be benefiting from mining operations, if they are done correctly without damaging our environment, and yet, in terms of revenues, it’s the people who should be gaining, right? That’s how it’s supposed to be.]
“So, ‘pag ang mga isyung ‘yan hindi pwedeng… (when it comes to those issues, I don’t think…) Walang (There’s no) executive privilege. Mining? Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng (It’s my first time to hear about a so-called) mining executive privilege,” Lacson adde