This should be an easy task for the Philippines.

The majority of renewable energy technologies are directly or indirectly powered by the sun. And the sun is something that we have a lot of.

This is how wikipedia explains it: "The Earth-Atmosphere system is in equilibrium such that heat radiation into space is equal to incoming solar radiation, the resulting level of energy within the Earth-Atmosphere system can roughly be described as the Earth’s ‘climate.’ The hydrosphere (water) absorbs a major fraction of the incoming radiation. Most radiation is absorbed at low latitudes around the equator, but this energy is dissipated around the globe in the form of winds and ocean currents.

"Wave motion may play a role in the process of transferring mechanical energy between the atmosphere and the ocean through wind stress. Solar energy is also responsible for the distribution of precipitation which is tapped by hydroelectric projects, and for the growth of plants used to create biofuels.

Renewable energy flows involve natural phenomena such as sunlight, wind, tides and geothermal heat.

"As the International Energy Agency explains:

"Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources."

The Renewable Energy way is how the Philippines must go. We do not have much in oil and gas deposits unlike many of our neighbors but we do have abundant indigenous resources. While hydro is our top RE resource (installed capacity at 3,222 MW) with untapped potential estimated at 13,097 MW, ocean and wind resources also present very good prospects.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has estimated that as much as 170,000 MW could be tapped from the ocean, though this remains still in the research and development phase with pilot projects in Leyte and Mindanao . On a more advanced level of development is wind power, from which we could tap as much as 76,600 MW of which only 25 MW are presently operational. Solar power has likewise been ideal for remote areas. Currently, we have only 4 MW installed solar capacity. But the resource potential could be very large.

Biomass is also a significant resource although it is used mostly in non-power applications such as cooking, heating, crop drying and transport.

With exploration activities that began in the ’70s, geothermal is our second best bet to hydro in terms of power generation. Geothermal energy is obtained by tapping the heat of the earth itself, usually from kilometers deep into the Earth’s crust. It is expensive to build a power station but operating costs are low resulting in low energy costs for suitable sites. Ultimately, this energy derives from radioactive decay in the Earth’s core. The Philippines is recognized as the second largest developer and user of the geothermal resource. We have installed geothermal capacity at 1,932 MW, with resource potential estimated at 4,531 MW. (Total world usage of geothermal is only 8,000 MW.) The DOE has conducted the 1st Philippine Geothermal Contracting Round which offered to private investors 10 projects with plant capacities ranging from 300-510 MW each.

Renewable Energy advocates have been calling on Congress for about a decade now to pass a law that would institutionalize the use of these indigenous resources in the Philippines. During the 13th Congress, the multisectoral lobby succeeded in pushing the RE bill to its final stages but lack of material time, killed this and other bills.

In the 14th Congress, several versions of the bill have been filed, jointly by Reps. Mikey Arroyo and Luis Villafuerte at the House mid-August and at the Senate, separate versions by Sens. Edgardo Angara and Jinggoy Estrada last month.

The RE bills provides the framework of legal and institutional conditions necessary for the private sector to move RE technologies into the market as well as policies that create markets, and ensure a fair rate of return for investors. Among others, the RE bill provides fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to make this happen. This has been the missing link that could make RE use as cost effective as conventional power plants.

The fact that the top terrorist and leader of the Communist insurgency in this country has been arrested in the Netherlands over murders that he ordered his minions to commit in this country is a feather in Gloria Arroyo’s cap. It shows that we have the capability to neutralize our own terrorists even when they are outside the country.

I have totally no sympathies for Jose Ma. Sison.

I find nothing admirable in a man who would lead his own country down the wrong road. The whole world has turned against Communism. Yet, Joma would have us turn into Communists should his New People’s Army (NPA) prevail. What an idiotic idea!

I am sure there are better things that this country can aspire to than to become a Communist country. In fact, just to test whether Communism is acceptable to the people, why does not someone run for office as a member of the Communist Party. It is no longer forbidden to be a member or to espouse the Communist ideology. I am sure, however, that any such candidate will be defeated at the polls. Pinoys are not crazy enough to take on a system of government that has been rejected even by regimes that came into power as Communists.