President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Wednesday that he had ordered the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to be vigilant in ensuring that power firms comply with all regulations.

In his speech during the launching of a coal power plant in Taguig City, the President said that he had tasked the agencies to keep an eye on power-generating companies.

“I am thus directing our relevant government agencies, especially the [DENR] and the DOE, to remain vigilant in monitoring the compliance of power generation companies with existing laws and regulations,” said Duterte.

He also assured energy companies of the government’s commitment in pursuing clean energy.

“As we look forward to the future of power generation in the Philippines with much optimism, let me assure our partners in the private sector that this administration remains committed in harnessing the potential of sustainable [and] renewable energy in driving the growth of our economy,” the President said.

“With substantial reforms that this administration has instituted in the past three years, I can assure you that you’ll be able to pursue more effective and efficient business strategies as long as you give utmost importance for the protection of our environment and the welfare of your host communities,” he added.