Energy firm steps up RE push to brace for oil price shocks

CEBU, Philippines — Philippine-listed Vivant Corporation is accelerating its renewable energy (RE) investments in a bid to cushion its energy portfolio from heightened oil price volatility, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weigh heavily on global fuel markets and economic outlooks.

  Vivant CEO Arlo G. Sarmiento said the company is bracing for price shocks in both the short- and medium-term, stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East—home to the world’s most critical oil-producing nations.

“We are preparing for increased fuel volatility, and renewables are key to insulating our portfolio from these external shocks,” said Sarmiento in a press briefing following the company’s Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2025 held at the company’s headquarters in Oakridge Business Park.

“This crisis reinforces our resolve to achieve and potentially surpass our 30 percent renewable energy target by 2030,” he explained.

The Cebu-based energy and infrastructure company is committing a significant portion of its ?46 billion capital expenditure (capex) pipeline for 2025–2030 to expanding its RE footprint—particularly in solar, wind, and battery storage technologies. The goal: to build grid stability while reducing dependence on oil-based generation assets.

Emil Andre M. Garcia, President of Vivant Energy, said the current environment calls for bold, long-term action.

“What we’re seeing is not just a supply risk but a systemic global response—from financial markets to regulatory bodies. RE is not just a hedge. It’s a strategic imperative,” Garcia said.

Among the key developments are Vivant’s ongoing 5-MW (megawatt) solar project in Bantayan, as well as a 206-MW wind power venture in Samar in partnership with AboitizPower, targeted for completion by 2027.

Vivant’s conventional power assets continue to deliver strong results. In the first quarter of 2025, the company’s core net income rose 42 percent to ?318 million, buoyed by robust generation and distribution performance.

Contributions from reserve market participation surged, with 1590 Energy Corporation registering a 508 percent year-on-year increase in volume nominations.

Desalination: Investing in Water Resilience

Beyond power, Vivant is also investing in long-term water infrastructure as climate-related water shortages emerge as another pressing regional issue.

Atty. Jess Anthony Garcia, President of Vivant Water, said the group is nearing the commissioning stage of the country’s first utility-scale seawater desalination facility.

Located in Cordova, Mactan Island Cebu, the project is a public-private joint venture with Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), capable of supplying 20,000 cubic meters of potable water daily.

Vivant is exploring similar facilities in Bantayan and Palawan, positioning desalination as a strategic solution to the country’s growing water security challenges.

“Desalination may cost more to produce, but it offers a long-term solution to chronic [water] shortages. This is not just a stopgap—it’s a responsible investment for future generations,” Garcia noted, citing the massive social and economic toll of water scarcity across Metro Cebu.

With a combined energy and water infrastructure pipeline of ?46 billion through 2030, Vivant’s flagship projects underscore a decisive shift toward resilient, sustainable utilities.

While a majority of capex will go into renewable energy, a portion remains allocated to conventional, off-grid oil-based generation to ensure baseload stability and grid reliability.

“Striking the right balance between RE and conventional power is essential,” Sarmiento said. “We’re focused on delivering stable supply while helping the grid transition.”

Despite global macroeconomic uncertainty, Vivant’s leadership remains optimistic.

“We don’t anticipate operational disruptions,” Sarmiento emphasized.

“Our job is to stay ahead, keep engaging stakeholders, and drive strategic investments that will shape the future of energy and water in the Philippines,” Sarmiento added.

‘Job Blueprint’ launched to strengthen trade sector

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), has officially launched the “Job Blueprint for Wholesale and Retail Trade”, a new strategy aimed at transforming the country’s trade sector through stronger partnerships, skills development, and a focus on Filipino-made products.

The initiative was unveiled in a press event led by DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, who emphasized the blueprint’s role in boosting economic growth by building a more competitive retail sector, future-proofing the Filipino workforce, and enhancing collaboration between government and businesses.

 “This blueprint is not just a plan—it’s a commitment to empower every Filipino entrepreneur, from the smallest sari-sari store to our largest malls,” Secretary Roque said. “It supports the vision of a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’, a new Philippines driven by resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth.”

Six Key Focus Areas

The ‘Job Blueprint’ is structured around six core pillars that aim to modernize and strengthen the wholesale and retail industries:

1. Consumer-Centric and Competitive Business Environment - This pillar seeks to promote locally made products by expanding access to innovation hubs and launching a national media campaign called “Create. Sell. Choose Tatak Pinoy.” The campaign encourages consumers to support homegrown brands and businesses.

2. Human Capital Development - To keep pace with changing market demands, the blueprint focuses on training workers in fast-growing areas like e-commerce, digital marketing, logistics, and customer service. This includes partnerships with schools, universities, and training centers to design programs that teach future-ready skills.

3. Collaboration and Public-Private Partnerships - The blueprint recognizes the importance of government and industry working together. It outlines how both sectors can co-create policies, share resources, and ensure effective implementation of strategies that benefit businesses and workers alike.

The remaining three pillars, which the DTI says will be detailed further in implementation, are expected to cover innovation, sustainable business practices, and enabling digital transformation across the trade sector.

Next Steps

Secretary Roque likened the blueprint to an architectural plan that now needs to be built. “What we’ve developed with the private sector is a blueprint; what comes next is the detailed engineering and implementation phase, turning our strategic plans into concrete results,” she explained.

The DTI hopes that this initiative will not only uplift businesses but also create more job opportunities, especially for young Filipinos looking to enter the retail and supply chain industries.

With the ‘Job Blueprint’ now in place, the department and its partners are calling on businesses, educators, and local governments to help turn the plan into reality—one that positions the Philippines as a strong player in the global trade landscape while keeping Filipino talent and products at the forefront. (CEBU NEWS)