HOW TO FIGHT ENERGY GAP

I received quite a lot of emails and feedback about my March 28 column entitled “FIT to fight heat.” It is
very heartening to note that an increasing number of Filipinos are now becoming more conscious about
our environmental responsibilities, specifically how to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.

In case you missed that particular piece, here’s a brief recap and overview. In recent years, the
Philippines has taken the top spot in South East Asia as far as Renewable Energy (RE) development is
concerned. This was a well-planned initiative that was accomplished primarily by enticing energy
technology experts and institutional investors to lead the charge in developing this sector. To support
this, the government passed legislation and adopted what is called the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) system, in
order to lessen the business risk of investors.

Under the FIT, a minute percentage of what you are charged on your electric bill – 0.54%, to be exact –
is allocated to help fund RE growth. Indeed, it is a wonderful way for people to contribute a small part to
help Mother Earth and leave something positive for future generations. This is a shared responsibility,
after all.

Given this, I must reiterate how very commendable it is that our country is taking the necessary
measures in trying to preserve our planet. Fossil fuels can have terrible effects on the environment, and
RE is definitely a step in the right direction. Clean energy sources such as solar power, hydroelectric,
geothermal, etc. are all more sustainable in the long run. They provide us more energy security since it
would mean that we won’t have to import fuel from other countries, and we would have our own plants
and RE centers in the country. It’s also good for the economy: based on a report done by the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) entitled “RE Thinking Energy,” the costs for renewable energy have been
decreasing considerably in the past years, and can most likely lower the cost of electricity at the
consumer level.

I mentioned that fact in passing in the previous column, but let’s now take a look at some quantifiable
figures. According to a 2016 study conducted by the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), market
prices were reduced nearly 50 percent with the inclusion of FIT-eligible plants in the market. The PEMC
analyzed the financial impact of FIT in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the country’s
power spot market, in the span of approximately one year. Moreover, it took into consideration that FIT-
eligible RE plants are placed in the market under a “merit order” basis, which means its generating
capacity is a priority in dispatch to the grid. The study concluded that the integration of the FIT-eligible
RE plants in the market resulted in a cost reduction of P4.04 billion, or P0.0567 per kwh, in the case
study span of 11 months.
Ultimately, when our supply of RE increases substantially, supply-and-demand forces will further drive
energy prices down. However, this can only be achieved when the FIT and its implementing rules and
regulations are properly implemented and fulfilled. I maintain my previously stated position that the
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) should fulfill all its contractual obligations with the FIT-qualified
resources, mainly in disbursing FIT Allowances.

Regie Casas and JJ Soriano from the Confederation of Solar Power Developers of the Philippines (CSDP),
for example, reiterated a growing RE industry concern that investors have received the short end of stick
even after making substantial contributions to the nation. At present, after more than a year after the
deadline of their completion, repeated appeals for the government to honor its FIT and FIT Allowance
commitments have fallen on deaf ears. So what do you think large-scale investors do when they find out
that a country has a tendency to break its promises? They go to other countries, of course. This is a
crying shame, because these companies and individuals believed in the Philippines and its potential,
only to be left holding a (so far) empty bag.

As they say, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, especially when it comes to something as
delicate and vital as the protection of our environment. We must continue to do our part – whether it
be on a macro or micro scale – in order to contribute to our planet’s well-being. As a nation, we are
positioned to take a giant step with our renewable energy sector, for our country, for our world, and for
our future generations. Whether that step is backwards or forwards, that is now up to us.

***

To celebrate Women’s Month, a number of organizations put up a collaborative exhibit featuring art
works and poetry entitled “Saunlad: si Dayang sa Makabagong Panahon.”

The exhibition was a collection of works of art from various upcoming and established Filipino artists and
poets. The visual artists gave their own interpretation of women in modern Filipino society, and their
role in bringing forth positive social and cultural transformation. The works were accompanied by
poems, strengthening the meaning of each image through written interpretations by contemporary
Filipino poets.

The exhibit was put together by Art Ventures and Advocacy Network (ART VAN), Art Education Area of
the UP College of Education (ArtEd Area), and UP Art Educators Society (UPARTES). These organizations
seek to connect and relate worthwhile advocacies, such as gender and development concerns, with the
arts and education.

The lead proponent, ARTVAN, aims to promote the arts as a vehicle for holistic development, advocacy,
and healing. It also seeks to establish the role of the arts as a powerful conduit for social change, link
with other organizations in the promotion of advocacies and advancement of Philippine arts and artists
by providing opportunities to showcase ideas and art works in the local and global community.

ARTVAN officers are Phoebe Palma Beltran-Almazan (founding president), Jama Alcala Managalindan-
Ramos (vice president), Jonathan Quines (secretary), Happie Bustamante (treasurer), and Hannah
Therese Baraero (PRO).

On the other hand, the ArtEd, headed by Prof. Charo Defeo-Baquial, is dedicated to promoting
awareness of effective and responsible art instruction to the Filipino youth.

Meanwhile UPARTES, headed by Jerome Asuncion, as president, is the official student organization of
the ArtEd Area.

The exhibit was held on two separate dates, first at the Philippine Social Studies Center, then at
Gateway Gallery in Cubao, Q.City, opened with a performance inspired by Gaddang indigenous ritual
led by Orly Abon and Apo EJ Jacinto of the Philippine Art Educators Association, and Joy Fernandez.
Inspirational messages on women empowerment, and the transformational role of art were delivered
by Sandra Sanchez Montano and Ambassador Rosalinda V. Tirona. Prof. Sharey Lucman of the UP
College of Education, Gari Apolonio of Gateway Gallery, and participating artist Diana Alferez gave life to
the poems through poetry reading.

“Saunlad” was co-presented by the Philippine Social Science Center, Philippine Art Educators Association
(PAEA), Philippine Pastel Artists (PPA), and Metrobank Foundation. The event was sponsored by
Soroptimist International Quezon City (SIQC), Systems Plus Computer College, and College of Mary
Immaculate.