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The Philippines is now trailing the rest of the Southeast Asian countries in terms of meeting the target on green energy. The Climate Change Commission stresses that little has been done to advance the country’s transition to cleaner energy sources, and existing policies are inadequate. Vietnam and Thailand have been environmentally conscious and invested in renewable sources of energy; the same cannot be said for the Philippines. Recent measures by the government are encouraging, but they require better execution and stronger funding in renewable energy facilities to match the neighbors.
Regional Comparisons
Vietnam and Thailand have been very active in the deployment of RE initiatives with clear policies and significant funding. It is seen that Vietnam, for instance, has dramatically increased its solar power generation and is now among the leading countries in the region. Another country that has also expanded its efforts in the use of solar and wind energy is Thailand with clear targets and policies.
Barriers in the Philippines
Some of the apparent constraints include bureaucratic issues, limited funds, and poor infrastructure. The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 provided the basis for renewable energy development, but progress has been rather slow. Furthermore, the country relies on fossil fuel imports, and coal remains the most used source of energy.
Government Initiatives
Beneath these, the Philippine government has started several projects to increase the use of renewable energy sources. The DOEs target is to raise the contribution of renewables in energy generation to 35% by 2030. There are also measures being made to improve the permitting of renewable energy infrastructure and investment fledging.
Future Prospects
Thus, if certain conditions are met, the Philippines has all the chances to become a leader in the field of renewable energy in the region. Improving the policy framework, obtaining funding, and deploying resources are the main prerequisites to that end. Due to the government’s support in green energy and the participation of the private sector, the country is heading towards a bright energy future.
Source: PH looks laid-back on green goals compared with neighbors