Empower yourselves with positive energy

As I step down later today, I wish to share with you a few final thoughts as your Energy Secretary.

Incoming Secretary Popo Lotilla is a man of integrity and competence. The President’s choice of Secretary Popo is wise. I am highly confident that Secretary Popo’s experience and expertise will come in handy as we address pressing energy issues.

When I look back to the period since June 8, 2001, I can say that the last four years has been one of the most memorable years of my life. Together, we accomplished so much. Through hard work, we created our own good fortune.

Right here at home, we successfully reorganized the Department as a modern agency well poised to supervise a deregulating energy sector. We promoted 40 percent of DOE personnel while reducing our plantilla by 18 percent, and created two new bureaus and four new offices. We introduced our 40-hour annual training module and our full scholarship in-house Masters in Public Management Program and chose our four core values of Commitment to Service, Integrity, Respect for Others and Teamwork.

We increased the size of our DOE Provident Fund, and I hereby reiterate my pledge to donate all my unearned leave pay of P225,000 to the Provident Fund to allow more DOE employees to borrow for the education of your children or the health care of your beloved ones.

We increased our energy self sufficiency from 48 percent in 2000 to 55 percent last year. We crafted rules for a downstream natural gas industry, and increased natural gas to 25 percent of our power mix. We signed more petroleum service contracts since 2004 than the last six years combined.

We laid the foundation to make the Philippines the leading producer of geothermal, wind and solar power. We launched programs for cleaner fuels such as CNG, coco-biodiesel and ethanol. We re-launched our ‘EC Way of Life’ energy conservation campaign, and promoted efficient lighting.

We introduced power reforms such as the WESM rules, organized PSALM, TransCo and PEMC, and assured power capacity in the Visayas. Through the ER electrification program, we energized 6,634 barangays and sitios during the last four years, more than the previous three administrations.

We introduced cleaner transport fuels, new fuel standards for diesel, CME, and retail stations. We launched our fuel economy runs, intensified gas station inspections, and arranged diesel discounts for public transport. We mediated the creation of the Pandacan Linear Park.

We introduced new regional energy plans, upgraded our power development plans, and unveiled an ambitious renewable policy framework. We updated our contingency plans for oil and power during the Iraq war and for an El Niño in Mindanao, and upgraded security arrangements.

In the international arena, we positioned the DOE as a regional leader by chairing three major ministerial energy meetings last year and led in crafting the next ASEAN energy plan. We deepened our bilateral energy relations with China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, the US, the UK, Vietnam and today with Saudi Arabia.

We encouraged fresh investment in the energy sector through active investment promotion, such that energy accounted for 70 percent of total investments registered in 2004.

All of these accomplishments were duly recognized last December when a survey of business executives voted the DOE as one of the top three most respected departments!

What were the secrets of our success? Let me remind you again.

First, there is absolutely no substitute for hard work. The words "I can’t do it" never accomplished anything. "I will try" has performed wonders. That is why I gave unfamiliar assignments to some of you. Unless we try to do something beyond what we have already mastered, we will never grow.

Second, we do the common things uncommonly well. Whether making a powerpoint presentation, ‘emceeing’ a signing ceremony, chairing a consultation, or reciting the DOE mission, be great in the little things! No matter if our task is great or small, we do it well or not at all. Remember, every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph our work with excellence!

Third, we finish what we started. Just as a partially completed bridge is not a bridge at all, then there is no such thing as an "almost" service contract, or a "partly launched CNG bus program," or a "almost-completed" Master’s diploma. The test of a first-rate work is that we finish what we started. Once a task is begun, we never leave it till it’s done.

Fourth, we have passion and enthusiasm in what we do. Be enthusiastic today about every area of our life – our family, our friends, our co-workers, our work, our church, but especially our dreams and our potential to achieve them. Enthusiasm fuels hope and joy. When we enjoy what we do, then we never have to feel like we’re working another day in our life.

And most of all, enthusiasm is contagious. It’s difficult to remain indifferent in the presence of a positive thinker. No matter how difficult or overwhelming the tasks ahead, use our positive thoughts towards positive energy.

You had all of these values inside you, I merely help you unleash all your inner strength. So empower yourselves with positive energy! Let’s continue transforming the DOE into the Department of Positive Energy!

(Farewell address delivered by former Energy Secretary Vince Perez when he turned over the mantle of leadership at the Department of Energy to new Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.)