The Department of Energy (DoE) will mobilize P57.4 million from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to support the country’s renewable energy efforts.

In a statement Tuesday, the DoE said the fund will be used for research and development projects such as sustainable aviation fuel production, renewable energy mapping, and solar PV market assessments.

Step forward

“This contribution is not just a financial boost — it’s a step forward in expanding energy access, innovation, and sustainability,” DoE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said during the ceremonial turnover.

The amount represents PCSO’s 2023 contribution to the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (RETF), as mandated under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which allocates 1.5 percent of PCSO’s net annual income to the fund.

The RETF supports clean energy technology projects. The DoE, through its RETF Committee, manages the sourcing, accounting and auditing of the fund under Department Circular No. DC2022-06-0018.

Effective implementation

To ensure effective implementation, the DoE signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

The government aims to increase the share of renewables to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040 under the Philippine Energy Plan and National Renewable Energy Program.