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PHL raising energy efficiency, use of renewable energy
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By Leslie D. Venzon
EBU CITY -- The Philippines will begin implementing next year a fiveyear action plan for energy efficiency and is increasing the use of renewable energy in a bid to address issues related to climate change.
Energy Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos bared these Philippine initiatives during the opening of the 46th Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation Energy Efficiency and Conservation (APEC EGEEC) Meeting held here Monday. “I trust that APEC will
tackle interventions to mitigate the effects of climate change through energy efficiency and push for an environment friendly and developed economy,” he said. For its part, Marcos said the Philippines has come up with an Energy Efficiency Roadmap and its corresponding action plan that it will undertake from 2016-2020. “This Roadmap is envi-
sioned to be the master plan of the Philippines Department of Energy in achieving energy efficiency and conservation programs and activities to higher levels and define the role of the government in coming up with a range of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency, driven by legislative orders and decrees targeting energy saving programs,” he noted. Marcos said the ac-
tion plan has targeted five energy-intensive sectors, namely: transport, industry, commercial and residential buildings and the crosssectoral. Moreover, the energy official said the Philippines is aggressive in the promotion and installation of renewable energy, as it recognizes the importance of addressing energy issues relevant to economic growth and development. “As a matter of record, we rank second as the largest geothermal producer in the world with 1,868 MW (megawatts) installed capacity as of 2013 or equivalent to 10.78 percent of the total installed capacity of the country,” he stressed.
For its energy efficiency programs, Marcos said the country has generated energy savings of 1.6 million tons of oil equivalent for the same year. “The Philippines reaffirms its commitment to the APEC’s unified goal of building strong partnerships towards economic development as we are optimistic that with APEC support, our vision of harmonization and connectivity will come to excellent productive realization,” he further said. The 46th APEC EGEEC Meeting will discuss various priority areas, including energy efficiency policies and programs, and energy intensity and renewable energy goals. (PNA)
CEBU CITY -- The Philippines, which plays host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this year, sees its trade with 20 other APEC member economies increasing by over 6.8 percent annually, to about $109.62 billion in 2015. Ambassador Ma. Angelina Sta. Catalina said the country’s hosting of APEC widens opportunities for increased regional trade in goods and services, spe-
cifically intra-APEC trade, including global trade. Sta. Catalina cited a trend indicating Philippine trade growing by about 6.8 percent every year since its APEC membership in 1989. “So if there has been an improvement in our trade figures as a consequence of APEC, then we are looking forward to more increased trade because of the kind of initiatives that we are undertaking in the various discussions,” she said in a press briefing. The ambassador said the Philippines’ total external trade with APEC members reached $96.104 billion, or 80.7 percent of the country’s entire trade, in 2013. Philippine exports amounted to $47.63 billion, or 84 percent of the country’s total exports to the world; while imports reached $48.47 billion or 77.7 percent of the total imports. “We do have a balance
Trade with APEC economies rising over 6.8% yearly
Corpus Christi School spikers meet their match, the team from Iligan City National High School, during the Shakey’s volleyball championships league held last August 28 to 31 at homecourt Corpus Christi Gym. photo by mark francisco
See apec, page A5
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