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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Professional should lead DOE, says group

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An infrastructure watchdog called on the incoming administration to appoint an energy professional as head of the Department of Energy.

“The next DOE secretary should have real, professional expertise and track record in the energy sector. He should be mindful of the sector’s role as a pillar of economic growth for the country while balancing the concerns of electricity consumers for affordable and reliable electricity,” Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon said.

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to appoint a new secretary of the DOE although some names were floated to replace Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

“It would be better if an energy professional runs the department, as the sector’s future is too important to be left to politicians making high-level decisions on the country’s electricity needs particularly under the current escalated prices in the global oil market,” Ridon said.

Ridon echoed calls to lower electricity and fuel prices to ease the burden of the poor.

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“As the new administration takes its mandate from a great number of marginalized and poor families, the energy department should focus on further lowering electricity rates and petroleum prices, such as reconsidering the current tax regime on electricity and petroleum products,” he said.

Ridon said the government should exercise caution when venturing into nuclear energy.

“It should also decide whether the price benefits for nuclear energy outweigh social and environmental risks, particularly the calls to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cusi said has been both a great privilege and responsibility to serve the Filipino nation as energy secretary.

“I knew early on that this journey would prove to be a formidable one given the intricacies of the industry. Nevertheless, I was optimistic that working alongside a competent team, coupled with choosing to lead the Department from the perspective of a consumer would help bring fresh policies that would further enhance a sector that plays a very crucial role in our country’s socio-economic development,” Cusi said during the flag-raising on Monday.

He thanked the DOE family for facing the unprecedented challenges of these highly precarious times.

“Everything we have achieved in the last six years was attained through everyone’s display of grit, ingenuity, and spirit. And while tempers might have risen high at times, these moments merely reflected our fervent desire to break down the barriers that have been hindering us from giving our people the level of public service that they truly deserve. That we all deserve,” he said.

“As we look forward to another chapter in the DOE’s history, it is my hope that you will embrace it with the same ardor and commitment that I have witnessed these past several years,” Cusi told the DOE employees.

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