Solution to high power prices

I’m glad that the government and the private sector are working hard to find a solution to the high cost of energy in our country. After all, we all consume energy and we all stand to benefit if we can find cheaper and more efficient methods. Not to mention the good it will do our environment not to waste as much energy as we do now and instead use renewable sources.

Currently, the country is looking at various renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal. While these are available in some parts of the Philippines, they are still not the norm overall. If we can find a way to implement usage of renewable energy throughout more, if not all, of the Philippines we can definitely make a big difference.

Currently we are the highest and most expensive importer of fossil fuel in Asia and we really need to focus on ways to change this. Hopefully with these new scientific discoveries and solid implementation plans and strategies in place, we can change that. If we all work together to conserve, use alternative and renewable resources, we can protect what’s left of the planet for our children and grandchildren.

Just recently, President Duterte inaugurated a solar power factory in Santo Tomas, Batangas, establishing the country as a player in the “global renewable energy revolution” and hopefully enabling solar panels to become accessible to all Filipinos. The president shared that solar power is now 30 percent cheaper than grid power and fossil fuel and could provide cost-efficient alternatives to the current high-cost energy we have now.

Of course having more choices will give consumers more power, the chance to get more bang for their buck, and the opportunity to use energy alternatives that are better for the environment. Hopefully the advent of new technologies and factories here in the country will spurn even more growth in the renewable energy sector. We need to stop acting as if our resources are unlimited and these might be the best first steps.

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So the supposed “war on drugs” continues and it doesn’t seem that we are any closer to solving it than we were when it began. Honestly it’s hard to remain positive about the way things are being handled when hundreds upon hundreds of “little fish” are being put in jail (or worse) while the “big fish” continue to roam free. How is this going to solve the problem? As the saying goes “you can cut of the head of the Hydra but it will just keep growing back.” How is stopping extremely low-level drug pushers going to curb the problem?

I personally feel that if the president wants to make a difference he needs to go after the makers, importers, and exporters of illegal drugs. These are the ones who continuously provide the product that the “small fish” are peddling. In order to make a difference, the problem needs to be stopped at the source. If not, we are just running around in circles plugging small leaks over and over again instead of changing the pipes.

The president is now bringing the Philippine National Police (PNP) back into the war on drugs claiming that while the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is doing a good job they just don’t have the manpower required to stop illegal drugs in the country. In this instance I would have to agree with Senate President Pimentel that the two agencies can work together but must establish guiding principles, ground rules, and most especially how to control and sanction their personnel.

I think rules of regulation are the most important thing in the current drug war. After all, people have lost a lot of faith in policemen thanks to those who abuse their power. Whether it’s chest cams or strict penalties in place for abuse of power there has to be a way regulate behavior of those in the drug war to ensure that both they and the public are safe.

I don’t deny that there is a lot of work that needs to be done. We probably aren’t going to see the fruits of all these efforts for a very long time, but I believe that if the drug agencies, police, and public all work together we can make it safe and effective for all. At the same time the government has to do their part and go after the major players. Only then will we really begin to see the change.

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I applaud San Miguel Corp. for pledging P330 million to help the families of our fallen heroes in the recent Marawi conflict. This is such a wonderful tribute to help the loved ones of those who sacrificed their lives on the frontlines of conflict to keep our country safe from terrorists. SMC down-to-earth and humble President and COO Ramon S. Ang typically prefers to stay in the background but is happy in this instance to be able to contribute to the heroes who made the “ultimate sacrifice” for our safety.

Ang mentioned that while we celebrate the victory our soldiers and policeman fought for, it is still bittersweet because many families lost a loved one in the fighting. The pledge SMC makes is to help those who have sacrificed their lives by helping their loved ones continue on. Ang recognizes that there is no way these brave soldiers and policeman can be replaced but we can honor them and help fulfill their dreams for their families to have a better life.

The P2M per family will be granted to each of the families of the 165 soldiers and policemen killed in action and will serve as a “business start-up assistance”. This is the best way Ang feels we can honor our fallen heroes. Not just by giving their families money, but helping them find sustainable ways to earn for themselves and care for themselves in the long run. This gesture will indeed go a long way towards helping widows, children, and more begin a new life and start healing.