The Philippines remains heavily tethered to foreign fuel markets despite aggressive pushes for energy self-sufficiency, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin cautioned.
As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—specifically disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—threaten global supply chains, Garin noted that current localized efforts are helpful but insufficient to fully sever reliance on imported diesel.
While the administration is actively courting investors to boost domestic resource discovery, the Energy Chief admitted that the transition is an uphill climb.
“Yan pinupush talaga namin na damihan yung exploration companies dito at pakonti-konti meron naman. And then, para bawas sa importation tayo, and sa diesel… yan po pwedeng paakyat ng paakyat,” Garin stated.
However, she maintained a realistic outlook on the immediate impact of these initiatives, adding:
“Pero, hindi yan enough to lower talaga our dependence. Pero at least makakabawas.”
The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently prioritizing a “scatter-shot” approach to energy security, arguing that a diverse portfolio is the only effective shield against international market shocks.
By spreading demand across coal, natural gas, and renewables, the country aims to avoid the catastrophic vulnerability of being tied to a single fuel source.
“Kahit anong mangyari sa isang fuel, meron pa tayong ibang choices na ginagamit natin. So we are on track on that,” she affirmed.
Central to this strategy is the massive scaling of the renewable sector. The government is currently working to elevate the share of renewables in the national power mix to 35% by 2030, a significant jump from the current estimated level of 26-27%.
While nuclear energy has recently been floated by various sectors as a definitive long-term stabilizer, Garin’s remarks emphasize the immediate necessity of balancing the current grid with available alternatives to weather the ongoing global energy crisis.