Senator Edgardo Angara Friday expressed confidence that expanding the country’s clean energy portfolio would attract additional investments in the country.
He said investors in clean technology have always been keen on placing their investments in regional leaders China and India but are now on the lookout for a potential expansion in the Asian region.
Clean technology is not limited to energy applications but also extends to waste and water management. It also includes recycling, renewable energy, information technology and or green transportation.
“Such technologies are applicable to the Philippines because of the growing energy needs and the impending need to utilize science and technology to secure the nation’s water supply,” Angara said.
He said it is important for the government to help local industries and private entities collaborate with the international community, which can present avenues for technology transfer and training as well as research and development opportunities.
Earlier on, the senator suggested the government to capitalize on the development of “green” industries which presents many new business opportunities that the Philippines should aggressively seize.
Angara said that moving towards renewable energy would help end the era of fossil fuel dependency and simultaneously stimulate the growth of new industries.
He also suggested the government study the extensive use of electric, hybrid and other alternatives for the private sector as well as public transportation, instead of relying on gas and diesel internal combustion (IC) engines.
According to Angara, COMSTE is now aggressively pursuing the development of a local electric vehicle industry, which would create new ‘green’ jobs and allow local engineers and manufacturers to have access to the growing e- vehicle market in Asia.
Meanwhile, Angara has sought to exempt research and development institutions from the coverage of Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Governance Act that seeks to establish central monitoring and supervision to promote transparency in the management of GOCCs.
“Government think- tanks and research institutes must be excluded because by their nature, they do not fit into the category sought to be covered by the bill. This bill comprehends GOCCs that are geared towards business or regulation,” Angara said.
He said that research-oriented companies, institutes and foundations should be classified into the same category as the State Universities and Colleges because these are already exempted.
