“It is time to let our lights shine. It is time to be who we want to be . . . and fight for the future we deserve”.
That is what Javier “Javi” Benitez of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, representing the youth sector rallied the more than 1,700 participants of the first ever blended virtual and physical press conference for a multi-sectoral coalition championing energy transformation and climate action in the Philippines.
“VIsion 20/30: Powering and Empowering Filipinos towards a #BrighterFutureToday” was held at Rockwell Center, Makati City in Metro Manila, July 29,a press release said.
Among speakers were some of the most highly respected personalities in the Philippine Climate and Energy space – led by Department of Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez who was the Philippine Sherpa Representative to the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action who provided the main keynote address.
Benitez, who gave the opening message, underscored the imperatives of identifying more renewable energy sources as well as implementing the Green Energy Option Program and the Green Energy Auctions now.
“Our country needs climate-smart industries and more green jobs to fuel the economy into a sustainable development pathway,” Benitez stressed.
Urging participants to focus on the objectives of the convergence, he called them to action, “It is time to take concrete, responsive and inclusive action towards energy security now.
Vision 20/30 , according to Chan Salimbao, Manager for the Partnerships and Outreach for OurEnergy2030, event partners include the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Connected Women, and the Philippine Science High School National Alumni Association. Media partners were Philippine Star, Eco-Business, Manila Standard and The Guidon, official student publication of the Ateneo de Manila University.
The discussion of the convergence focused on the critical need of the country to respond and recover fast from the economic impact and human devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The exchange of ideas centered on the challenge of multi-sectoral investment on climate-proof and economically-smart renewable energy that will put the nation on the right track towards a total energy transformation.
Benitez said Vision 20/30 is an initial step to capture bipartisan leadership and participation to chart a bold path towards a renewable energy future.*