FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Representative Brian Poe has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the passage of amendments to the Biofuels Act and the Waste-to-Energy Act, saying these measures could help protect the country from future oil price shocks.
Speaking during a hearing of the House Legislative Energy Action and Development (LEAD) Council, Poe emphasized that the proposed reforms could strengthen the Philippines’ energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuel and expanding the use of alternative energy sources.
“I think now is the time to already explore other energy options and certify as urgent the passage of the Biofuel Act as well as the amendments or the Waste to Energy Act because these are two sources of energy which the country can immediately benefit from once it passes in the Senate,” Poe said.
He also raised concerns over agricultural waste and logistics issues affecting farmers, noting that some are unable to transport their produce to markets, resulting in significant losses.
“I’m really hoping that the President will take this into consideration kasi nakikita natin, may mga reports in the news na nakikita natin nasasayang na ang food, yung agricultural products ng mga farmers natin because they cannot afford to transport it,” he said.
Poe lamented that much of the surplus agricultural output ends up going to waste.
“Nabubulok na lang. Ginagawa na lang nilang fertilizer. Sayang. We could be using that for our energy supply as well,” he added.
He stressed that converting agricultural byproducts into energy inputs could simultaneously support farmers and strengthen the country’s energy supply chain.
“We could be buying it from the farmers. This is an opportunity that we should explore. In this time of emergency, baka we can certify these two energy measures as urgent and immediately pass it,” Poe said.