House panel tackles bill creating energy think tank

The energy panel of the House of Representatives on Thursday started discussion of a substitute bill that seeks to create a think tank that will harmonize policies and address gaps in the energy sector in order to ensure a sustainable, secure and steady supply of energy in the country.

In a public hearing via Zoom presided by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, chair of the energy committee, members of the panel agreed on the need to establish the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI) to strengthen and promote the sector’s acquisition of knowledge in recent scientific breakthroughs.

The institute will also study the “formulation of transdisciplinary research-based policies and strategies for the cost-effective use of energy resources towards environmentally sound energy development.”

“We are very hopeful that we would be able to craft the relevant responsive legislation that would establish an energy research and policy institute that will act as the government research arm on energy policy and to enable us to harness the latest and relevant researches on appropriate policy directions and adaptable technologies,” Velasco said.

A similar bill is already approved on third reading in the Senate.

Under the new proposed bill, PERPI will be attached to the Office of the President of the University of the Philippines (UP).

Its tasks include conducting independent policy research, planning and addressing energy issues while providing policy direction and advice to regulators and lawmakers, creating a data bank needed for the implementation of functions in accordance with the Data Privacy Act, and tapping digital technologies in dissemination of information.

Part of the function of the institute is to develop a pool of researchers, develop programs and capacity building trainings, provide common research support facilities, establish local and foreign linkages, and serve as a repository of all energy-related researches.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)