Manila: Government offices should lead the transition to renewable energy, as lawmakers pushed measures mandating solar adoption and reforms to strengthen the country's clean energy framework. At a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy on Thursday, Senator Pia Cayetano said the proposals come at a 'critical time', with the Philippines being heavily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for about 80 percent of the power mix, exposing the country to volatile global prices and supply shocks.
According to Philippines News Agency, the hearing tackled two bills requiring renewable energy use in government facilities and the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 to improve implementation, including net metering and permitting processes. Cayetano stated that rising electricity costs have cascading effects on Filipino households, particularly those near the poverty threshold. 'Pag tumaas ang kuryente. paano mag-aaral ang mga bata? Paano makakapagtrabaho nang maayos ang magulang? (If electricity costs rise. how will children study? How can parents prepare properly for work?)' she said. She added that accelerating renewable energy adoption aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including affordable and clean energy, reduced inequalities, and sustainable communities.
Principal author of Senate Bill No. 457, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, echoed the call, saying government institutions must take the lead in adopting renewable energy technologies. 'It is no longer sufficient for us to encourage renewable energy adoption in the private sector while our own institutions remain dependent on traditional and imported fossil fuels,' Marcoleta said. He emphasized that mandating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in public buildings would cut long-term costs while strengthening energy security. 'Hindi na po alternatibo ito. Ito ay isang pangangailangan (This is no longer an alternative. It is a necessity),' he added.
Data presented during the hearing showed that while policies supporting renewable energy are in place, implementation remains a key challenge due to funding constraints and procurement limitations. The Department of Energy (DOE) reported that 233 government entities have installed solar PV systems as of April 2026, with a combined capacity of 18.82 megawatts capable of generating about 26.37 gigawatt-hours annually. However, agencies continue to face high upfront costs and regulatory barriers, prompting proposals to institutionalize energy service performance contracting (ESPC), where private firms finance and install systems and are paid through energy savings. The DOE also aims to reduce government energy consumption by at least 10 percent under the Government Energy Management Program, partly through solar installations and efficiency upgrades.
