Ensure energy security; boost renewable power generation now

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Mar 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Mar 17, 2026 06:11 pm

Everyone is feeling the pinch of the oil price shock.

Each escalation of conflict in the Middle East sends this familiar shock through the Philippine economy. Oil prices surge, fuel costs rise, and the consequences cascade quickly—from increased prices of basic goods and higher cost of transport to mounting inflation. These disruptions occur because the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel. Every geopolitical tremor in oil-producing regions reverberates in the daily lives of Filipino consumers.

This recurring vulnerability should compel policymakers to reassess how the nation approaches energy policy. Renewable energy must no longer be treated simply as environmental compliance or as a regulatory requirement under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. It must be recognized for what it truly is: a pillar of national economic security.

Countries that invested early in renewable energy have demonstrated how strategic foresight can reduce exposure to global oil shocks. Nations such as Denmark, Germany, and Iceland have built energy systems that rely heavily on wind, solar, and other renewable resources. Their economies are not immune to global energy fluctuations, but they are far less vulnerable because a significant share of their power is produced domestically from inexhaustible sources.

The Philippines possesses similar advantages. With its tropical climate and long coastlines, the country has vast potential for solar and wind energy. Sunlight is abundant around the archipelago, while strong wind corridors—from Northern Luzon to the Visayas and offshore waters—could support large-scale wind generation. In practical terms, the country has the natural resources required to reduce its reliance on imported fossil oil. What remains lacking is decisive policy momentum.

The executive branch must begin by elevating renewable energy development to a central national priority. Energy independence should be pursued with the same seriousness given to food security or fiscal stability. Clear and ambitious national targets for renewable generation would send a powerful signal to investors that the government is committed to a long-term transformation of the energy sector.

Equally urgent is the removal of regulatory barriers that slow investment. Renewable energy projects often face prolonged permitting processes, overlapping approvals, and bureaucratic uncertainty. A streamlined, single-window system for permits would dramatically speed up project timelines and reduce the financial risks that discourage investors.

Legislators also have a critical responsibility. Congress must strengthen the country’s policy framework by expanding fiscal incentives that encourage investment in renewable infrastructure. Tax holidays, duty-free importation of renewable energy equipment, and accelerated depreciation schemes can significantly reduce the cost of entry for developers. At the same time, lawmakers must support the modernization of the national grid so that electricity generated from remote wind and solar facilities can be efficiently transmitted to urban and industrial centers.

The private sector, for its part, should recognize that renewable energy is not merely a corporate social responsibility initiative. It is an economic opportunity. Large corporations can accelerate the transition by investing in rooftop solar installations, entering long-term renewable power purchase agreements, and supporting the financing of renewable projects. Such commitments create stable demand, which in turn encourages further investment and technological innovation.

Financial institutions likewise play an indispensable role. By expanding green financing and prioritizing capital for renewable ventures, banks and investment funds can help mobilize the resources necessary for large-scale energy transformation.

The lesson from today’s oil price volatility is unmistakable. Dependence on imported fossil fuel exposes the Philippine economy to risks it cannot control. Renewable energy offers not only environmental benefits but also strategic resilience.

The Philippines cannot control global oil prices or geopolitical tensions. But it can control its energy future—whether it continues to remain vulnerable to them, or it builds an energy system strong enough to withstand them.

How do you pronounce the German word 'ich'?

 

Brian Collins

 · 

My proficiency bounces between fluent and conversational.

They are a combination of regional variation, and foreign accent, depending on the context.

When in the context of native speakers, what you are referring to is the Ich-Laut

Many Germans in regions which historically spoke Low German languages, such as Berlin, pronounce ich [ɪk]

Germans from regions which historically spoke Ripuarian-Germanic languages, or Germans who still speak a Ripuarian-Germanic language (such as Kölsch) as their first language, pronounce ich [ɪɕ], [iɕ] or [iʃ] [ɪʃ]. The vowel can change a bit.

Native High German speakers, from regions that have spoken High German for hundreds of years, and speakers who want to emulate them pronounce it [ɪç]. [ç] is sort of like the palatalized English h-sound in the word "hue", but at the end of a word.

From experience, many German speakers in Berlin will say it [ɪk] but mich [mɪç] because saying "Mick" is very stigmatized and sounds, as one German speaker put it, like "Mickey Mouse".

Native English speakers tend to pronounce those words like [ɪk] or [ɪʃ].

Doing things from the heart

 

In a world that constantly asks "what's in it for me?", choose to be the person who gives without expecting absolutely anything in return. True kindness isn't a transaction. When you do something out of pure love, compassion, or empathy, the beautiful energy you put out into the world is never wasted. Whether it's helping a stranger, supporting a friend, or giving water to a thirsty bird, acts done from the heart will always enrich your soul. 🐦🤍

EACH FOR HIMSELF

 

The phrase “every man for himself” has deep roots in English history. Its earliest known appearance is in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale (late 14th century), where he wrote “Ech man for him-self, ther is non other.” This conveyed the idea of individuals prioritizing their own survival or interests over collective responsibility. By the 16th century, the fuller proverb “Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost” was in circulation, emphasizing ruthless self-preservation in times of danger or competition. The expression became popular in contexts of escape, conflict, or scarcity, where helping others might jeopardize one’s own safety. Over time, it evolved into a broader cultural cliché symbolizing individualism and the abandonment of cooperation when stakes are high. Its endurance reflects both the darker side of human nature and the pragmatic instinct to survive. 

Yes, each person does what is best for himself or herself. Yes, times are getting tougher. I think you, my dear readers, know what I am talking about. No reason to list everything again. Sometimes, there is no team spirit in this office; it’s definitely every man for himself. Neighbors would tell each other: mind your own business. The tone between us humans is becoming more and more harsher.

Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them. Important helpline is Psalm 27:10 for them. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.”

 

And solitary survivors like Robinson Crusoe, or the hero in the movie Castaway, fascinate. But the loner is someone who purposely holds himself aloof, like the Unabomber, Mathematician Ted Kaczynski. People doggedly moving ever farther away from one another constitute hell in C.S. Lewis’ book, The Great Divorce.

 

Fact is  –  Proverbs 18:1 says:  A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment.

 

Living in community and helping one another is foundational for all who wish to follow Christ. We know from Acts 2 that the early church took this seriously, seeing many examples of believers helping one another, including materially, so that there would be no one in need within their group.

 

Much has been written about the benefits of strong relationships. I wrote about it at this corner several years ago. People are healthier, live longer, and are generally happier if they have strong friendships beneficial for helping and encouraging each other. And let me repeat it – especially during these tough times … .