THE PHILIPPINES has been largely dependent on the importation of fossil fuel from the Middle East. Thus we cannot escape the adverse effects of the soaring prices of oil in the world market such as what we are experiencing now.
But that is just one aspect of the matter. Here’s another: when the world supply falls short – and it will fall short in due time – our country will be in another big trouble if we have no other alternatives available.
It is thus high time for the country to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel and focus on tapping renewable energy resources that are also environmentally friendly. By exploring other renewable sources of energy right now, we will be protected in the future from the whims of oil-exporting countries and the ever-present threat of war in the Middle East.
There are alternative sources of energy that are already with the reach of Filipinos. We have natural gas deposits near Palawan which the national government ought not to sell to foreign interests. It may not be an inexhaustible supply but there may be enough of it to keep us going as we develop other renewable sources of energy.
The new law promoting the use of bio-fuels is a step in the right direction as ethanol from sugarcane can be blended with gasoline and diesel. And we have plenty of sugarcane. Take the experience of Brazil. They made their staple crop, corn, a renewable source of alcohol for specially developed locally manufactured car engines. Today, they do not depend as much on imported oil anymore.
Wind power, a shown recently in the Ilocos region, offers bright prospects. Solar energy in sun-scorched Philippines is also a possibility.
Tapping these alternative energy sources is economical because renewable energy is always cheaper in the long run and environmentally friendly, too.
