Philippine Renewable Energy is Dream Turning Into Reality
- “dREam turning into REality”
Dressed as a walking wind turbine, Alejandro Obañas’ towering 8-foot physique and creative costume capture public attention in the Senate and House of Representatives together with proactive citizens in their pajamas supporting the Renewable Energy Bill (REB).
“Not all people know that we can harness energy from the wind and other renewable energy sources like the sun, ocean waves, rivers and if we just look around our environment, we can see that Philippines has enormous renewable energy sources waiting to be tapped with the help of technology. And taking advantage of this opportunity will be the key to liberate our country from too much dependence on fossil-fuels (e.g. coal, oil and gas). Thus, helping our environment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere that will help mitigate climate change” said, youth RE believer Alejandro Obañas.
Wearing their pajamas, these volunteers explain their outfits, “True enough that pajamas are associated with sleep. The REB is actually over 10 years in the making. It has undergone tedious deliberations in congress. We were actively campaigning for this advocacy for years now. In fact, we even administered a signature campaign a.k.a. Positibong Alternatibo ang Renewable Energy (PARE) ni Juan that gathered over 350,000 signatures for the REB that we have transmitted in both houses last Congress. When we heard that the Bicameral Conference report of the REB was accomplished yesterday (October 8) and now in the process of ratification by both houses, we felt our energies were renewed and had the urge to give our support to the same cause again with high hopes to seeing this landmark legislation be finally enacted”, said Roslyn Arayata, volunteers’ spokesperson.
“We’d like to commend the efforts of the RE champions in the House of Representatives and the Senate played an important role in the Bicameral Conference Committee which includes Senators Edgardo Angara, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Juan Ponce Enrile, Rodolfo Biazon, and Francis Escudero, and House Representatives Juan Miguel Arroyo, Luis Villafuerte, Exequiel Javier, Ma. Milagros Magsaysay, Teofisto Guingona III, and Elpidio Barzaga Jr. for taking the REB to one giant leap. The REB has never gone this far in the history of its deliberation.
For many years, we’ve been dreaming of energy self-sufficiency to strengthen our economy, clean renewable energy to help achieve environmental sustainability and a decentralized energy development and distribution to improve the well-being of our kababayan in the off-grid and far flung communities that clamor for ample lighting in their communities and obtain their basic need for electricity. We, as ordinary citizens, are optimistic that before the Congress’ session adjourns this week this “sleeping beauty legislation” will be finally enacted and our dream will turn into a reality.
Contact: Roslyn Arayata, volunteer & spokesperson PARE ni Juan network- 09175217937
email : roslynarayata@yahoo.com.ph
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