Geothermalists bat for passage of renewable energy bill

By J R Ruaya
Energy and Chemistry Consultant

The National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP), a non-stock, non-profit organization of geothermal practitioners in the country, issued a manifesto urging the swift passage of the renewable energy bill now pending in Congress during its 6th general assembly meeting held Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at PNOC Energy Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC) Building 5, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Lauro F. Bayrante, NGAP president and a PNOC-EDC officer, formally presented a copy of the manifesto to Catherine P. Maceda, Convenor of the Renewable Energy Coalition and Deputy Managing Director of EON, Inc., who was the guest speaker and resource person for the event.

In her talk, Maceda reiterated the call of the Renewable Energy Coalition for the passage of the renewable energy bill citing its potential benefits which include energy security, help in mitigating drastic climate change, economic and local benefits and its moral imperative.

During said event, keynote speaker Peter D. Garrucho Jr., Director of PNOC-EDC and First Gen Corp. among others, outlined the major thrusts and plans of the Company in the renewable energy industry which includes opening up of new geothermal fields in the country and international expansion, particularly in Indonesia. He also lauded the attendees in their efforts at promoting geothermal energy, many of whom are also employees of PNOC-EDC whom he considers as the Company's best assets.

Recently, First Gen Corp. bought a controlling 60 % stake of the publicly-listed geothermal producer PNOC-EDC from the Philippine government in a public auction.

NGAP has about seven institutional and more than 300 active individual members from the academe, government, industry and other sectors.