Former Bayan Muna Congressman Carlos Isagani T. Zarate today urged the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to treat the escalating Middle East crisis as an “urgent wake-up call” to accelerate the country’s energy transition, moving away from dependence on imported fossil fuels and investing strategically in renewable sources.
Zarate warned that the ongoing war, waged by America and Israel, underscores the volatility of global oil markets and exposes the vulnerability of the Philippine economy, which remains heavily reliant on foreign fuel.
“The conflict in the Middle East is a stark reminder that our dependence on fossil oil is not just an environmental issue, but a matter of national security and economic survival,” Zarate said.
He stressed that every flare-up in geopolitical tensions abroad is immediately felt at local fuel pumps and in the rising cost of basic goods.
“The Marcos Jr. government cannot afford to just treat this as a passing inconvenience; they must treat it as a strategic imperative to finally, and seriously, break free from this cycle,” he added.
Push for Decentralized Energy Systems
Zarate called for a paradigm shift toward decentralized, community-based energy systems that are more resilient, eco-friendly, and climate-adaptive. He specifically urged the government, through state financial institutions, to massively fund mini-hydro and community-based solar power plants.
“We don’t have to look far for solutions. We have proven technology and viable models that just need political will and strategic investment,” he explained.
He cited successful community solar projects that have lit up remote villages, emphasizing their speed of deployment, empowerment of local communities, and insulation from global price shocks.
Reorienting Government Programs
While acknowledging initiatives such as the ₱3.627 billion released for rural electrification, Zarate said these efforts must be aggressively reoriented toward green technology.
“Investing in renewable energy now is investing in our future,” Zarate emphasized.
He pointed to state-run banks like the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), which have previously financed renewable projects, as key drivers of a whole-of-government push.
“The DBP and other government financial institutions should prioritize funding for electric cooperatives and local governments that want to put up their own mini-hydro and solar projects,” he said.
Strategic Imperative
Zarate concluded that heavy investment in renewable energy is not only about climate action but also about safeguarding the economy from external shocks.
“It is better for the government to invest heavily now for strategic energy independence rather than later when we are caught in another crisis. The shift to renewable energy is no longer just about saving the planet; it is about saving our economy from the whims of war of imperialist powers and foreign markets.” (ZIA LUNA)
