Govt committed to adopt ‘energy trilemma’ By Lenie Lectura
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ALMS AND ANOMALIES A beggar’s hand protrudes from the sidewalk outside a fast-food
chain, seeking alms and mercy from passersby. The stark image contrasts the daily struggle of ordinary Filipinos with the lavish lifestyle of contractors whose construction firms raked in billions from flood-control projects now under congressional and Senate scrutiny. As hearings expose alleged corruption, ghost projects, and political favors, many ask: Are Filipinos worth begging for? BERNARD TESTA
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HE Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) are fully committed to adopt the energy trilemma despite the challenges of balancing three interconnected goals—security, sustainability, and affordability. During the EJAP Energy Forum, ERC chairperson Francis Satunino Juan said his office is not only responsible for setting the electricity rates, but also ensuring fair competition, protecting consumer interests, and fostering an environment that allows the energy sector to grow responsibly.
The ERC regulates an industry worth P4.13 trillion spanning generation, transmission, distribution, and supply sectors. The number could grow to P31 trillion worth of energy investments under the DOE’s clean energy scenarios. “This shows both the opportunity and the responsibility before us. Which brings me to our theme today, balancing the energy trilemma, or balancing three equally critical but often competing objectives, which include energy security, or having reliable and sufficient supply so Filipinos can count on electricity being there when they need it. “Energy equity, or ensuring that
energy is affordable and accessible to all, not just to a privileged few. And environmental sustainability, or reducing emissions and protecting the planet for future generations. Each of these elements holds its own significance, yet together they create a delicate balancing act,” said Juan. Coal, which makes up 62 percent of the country’s power generation mix in 2024, is a baseload energy source which reinforces energy security but, at the same time, could undermine environmental objectives, the ERC chief noted. Juan also pointed out that while the country is aiming for an aggressive renewable energy (RE) push—35-percent share in the
mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040—this “may increase costs if not carefully managed.” “This encapsulates the essence of the trilemma, a challenge we must all confront collectively. To address this, we have assured our stakeholders and consumers of a new ERC that is committed to meeting their expectations,” Juan said. Juan, a veteran energy lawyer who returned to ERC as the new chairperson last July 8, said the “new ERC” will become “more responsive, forward-thinking, and decisive” in fulfilling its mandate. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure that electricity rates are See “Govt,” A15
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‘FLOOD-CONTROL MESS DENTS ECONOMIC GAINS’ www.businessmirror.com.ph
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Friday, September 12, 2025 Vol. 20 No. 334
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By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
HE controversy surrounding billions worth of flood control projects is bad news for the national government which has struggled to meet its economic growth targets for the past three years. In an economic brief, Global Source Partners Country Analyst Diwa Guinigundo, a former Deputy Governor of the Philippine central bank, said the flood control issue is also bad for the economy.
Guinigundo said the sheer amounts involved in the corruption-laden projects and extent of the flood control issue reverses economic gains which the Philippines See “Flood-control,” A14
INDEPENDENT PROBE COMMISH ON INFRA TO COVER PRE-2022 By Samuel P. Medenilla
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has significantly expanded the coverage of the independent commission in his Executive Order (EO) No. 94 so it will now cover anomalous flood-control projects even from the previous administration He issued the new six-page EO last Thursday, when he was supposed to announce the composition of the three-man Commission. As of press time, Marcos has
yet to name the members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). However, several high profile personalities were reported to be part of the Commission, including former Senior Associate justices Antonio Carpio and Estela Perla-Bernabe, and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Under the six-page EO No. 94, Marcos named the new factfinding body as the ICI, which he tasked to conduct a probe and recommend the filling of charges related to anomalous flood control projects and other public See “Independent,” A2
FLOOD WOES THREATEN FOOD Rice farmers in Bayambang, Pangasinan rush to harvest whatever they can as massive flooding in the region threatens their crops. Farmers said more areas are now covered by flooding compared to previous years, and the waters stay longer. MAU VICTA
Recto-led PHL team courts Japan investors By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
T BUILDING HOPE From left: Noel Toti M. Cariño, National President of the Chamber of Real
Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA); Engr. Ruben C. Cueto, Vice President for Marketing of Boysen Paint; Fernando S. Tiong, Chair of the CREBA Convention; and Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, CREBA Past President, during the contract signing for the upcoming CREBA National Convention in Baguio City from October 15 to 17, 2025. The three-day convention will mark CREBA’s 52nd founding anniversary and the nationwide observance of National Shelter Month. With the theme “One Voice, One Vision, Housing for All,” the event will tackle the country’s 6.5 million-unit housing backlog and promote sustainable, affordable shelter solutions for Filipino families. NONOY LACZA
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HE Philippines assured potential Japanese investors that the country is the “right” and “trusted” partner for expanding their businesses. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the Philippine delegation, led by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto, engaged in a high-level courtesy meeting and roundtable discussion with the Kankeiren Executive Committee on September 11, in Osaka, Japan. The Philippine delegation is in Japan to secure financing support for the Philippines’ big-ticket infrastructure projects and to attract additional investments into the country to drive economic growth. “In the Philippines, you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right partners, and the right opportunities to win big,” Recto said
during the meeting. The Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), led by Chairman Masayoshi Matsumoto, represents about 1,300 members, including conglomerates, multinational corporations and small and medium enterprises in Japan, spanning advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy, infrastructure, finance and digital innovation. During the meeting, Recto told Japanese investors that the Philippine government has implemented sweeping reforms to make the country one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investments in Asia. The Create More Act was passed into law last year, providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, as well as resolving a long-standing concern of Japanese exporters by exempting exportoriented enterprises from value-added tax. Meanwhile, Recto addressed Japan as one of the Philippines’ “longest and strongest partners in growth,” citing the country’s two “A-”
investment-grade ratings from Japanese credit rating agencies. “This is your vote of confidence in our fiscal management, our investment climate, and our growth trajectory—and we intend to keep earning it,” the Finance chief said. Aside from the Philippines being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, it is also Asean’s fastest-growing digital economy, Recto said. The Philippines ranks as the second-largest global hub for services delivery and among the top shipbuilding nations globally. “We make great ships that carry economies forward,” Recto said. Moreover, Recto highlighted the Philippines’s “demographic sweet spot,” with a median age of 25 years old. “Paired with Japan’s median age of 49, together we can form a powerful demographic partnership: your capital and technology, our talent and market.” The Philippine delegation is currently in Osaka,
Japan, to convene the Philippines-Japan HighLevel Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation. The progress on big-ticket infrastructure projects financed by Japan will also be reviewed by the delegation and their Japanese counterparts, led by Dr. Mori Masafumi, to ensure the projects’ timely delivery. They are also set to engage with Japan’s top investors through high-level one-on-one meetings and during the Philippine Economic Briefing. The Philippine team is composed of Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque; Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin; and senior officials from the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 57.1320 n JAPAN 0.3876 n UK 77.3339 n HK 7.3348 n CHINA 8.0234 n SINGAPORE 44.5682 n AUSTRALIA 37.7700 n EU 66.8502 n KOREA 0.0411 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.2287 Source: BSP (September 11, 2025)