Energy OIC vows policy continuity

Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin, newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Energy (DOE), vowed to sustain the energy policies and reforms initiated under former Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla, who was recently transferred to lead the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“The key word is continuity. We continue the policies and the reforms that Secretary Lotilla has done so that the President's targets will continue by 2028,” Garin said during a media briefing.

She cited the DOE’s achievements under Lotilla, particularly the country’s increasing renewable energy capacity and growing attractiveness to investors.

“Over the past three years, there were like 4,000 megawatts of new installed capacity. And then the next three years, we still have like 11 GW incoming,” she said. 

Garin credited this momentum to Lotilla’s landmark policy that allowed 100 percent foreign ownership in renewable energy projects — an unprecedented shift that opened the floodgates for direct investments.

“We became number two in the world as the most attractive destination for renewable energy investments,” Garin added. 

She also assured stability within the department, noting that no major personnel changes are expected.

“Everybody stays as long as you've done your work well and you believe in the reforms,” she said.