Renewable energy measure pushed

A group of geothermal practitioners and stakeholders has called for the immediate passage of the Renewable Energy Bill.

In a manifesto, members of the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP) underscored the need to pursue the REB as this will benefit the country.

In a general assembly, NGAP presented a manifesto emphasizing that the organization stands resolutely behind current efforts among the key stakeholders in government, the power sector and civil society to promote the exploration and development of renewable energy.

Lauro F. Bayrante, NGAP president, presented the manifesto to Catherine P. Maceda, convenor of the Renewable Energy Coalition, in keeping with NGAP’s mission to champion geothermal as a viable, clean and indigenous energy form.

In its manifesto, the NGAP said it should spearhead the formulation of a geothermal industry roadmap and a Code of Conduct for renewable energy investments.

Keynote speaker Peter D. Garrucho Jr., who is a director of PNOC-EDC and First Gen Corp., outlined the major thrusts of the company in the renewable energy industry which include the opening of new geothermal fields in the country and the possibility of international expansion in Indonesia.

Garrucho said geothermal resources are now recognized as a renewable energy form by the International Energy Agency, the United Nations Environment Program and the World Energy Council.