Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo
HOUSE Ways and Means Chairperson and Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo said the Philippines must pursue alternative sources of energy and establish a national petroleum reserve— long-term measures that will help the country cushion the impact of oil price shocks and mitigate disruptions in petroleum supply.
Quimbo said the ongoing oil crisis triggered by the war on Iran should serve as a “wake-up call” for the country, whose heavy reliance on imported petroleum products has made it extremely vulnerable to geopolitical events that are beyond its control.
Among the measures being explored is the accelerated development of alternative energy sources, such as geothermal and natural gas, which are domestically available.
“We need to be able to fast-track itong mga alternative sources of energy na ito kasi the future is how we are [going] to thrive or survive this,” Quimbo told a press conference on Tuesday.
Along with the urgent shift to alternative energy sources, Quimbo is pushing for the establishment of a national fuel reserve to prepare and protect the country against future oil crises.
“Kailangan din natin mag-imbak [ng petrolyo], na may sarili ang gobyerno, para nasisigurado natin ang supply, nakukuha natin ng mura, at naitatabi natin ‘yan in case of any emergency,” Quimbo said.
Quimbo expressed hope that the government would implement these measures before the First Regular Session adjourned in the first week of June.
On Sunday, Speaker Bojie Dy convened the chairpersons of 13 House committees for an emergency meeting to craft a unified and resilient government response to the ongoing oil price crisis as well as similar future shocks.
The committees include Agriculture, Appropriations, Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, Economic Affairs; Energy; Foreign Affairs; Information and Communications Technology; Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Affairs, Social Services, Trade and Industry, Transportation, Ways and Means.
metrosundaily
