The Power for People Coalition (P4P) welcomed President Bongbong Marcos’ promise to prioritize renewable energy to solve the power crisis in Mindoro, but the group remained skeptical due to the government’s track record on green energy.

Marcos said during his State of the Nation Address in July that renewable energy was a top priority of his government’s climate agenda.

However, P4P expressed doubts over the government’s commitment to green energy, citing the Duterte administration’s promotion of coal and gas over renewables.

“We have heard Mr. Marcos say that renewable energy was his top priority, but his administration instead went for gas to replace coal,” said Gerry Arances, P4P convenor. “It is good to hear the President say he wants green energy, like we do, but we will have to suspend our cheers until he actually does something.”

He said P4P has been pushing for renewable energy as a solution to the country’s power crisis, pointing out that it is more affordable and does not rely on importation, unlike fossil fuels. The group asserts that renewable energy can provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for Filipinos across the country.

“We have long said – Filipinos have the right to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. Only renewable energy delivers on all these points, but our politicians only paid lip service to renewable energy. We hope to see officials of the Department of Energy reverse their course on gas on the basis of the President’s statement to know that there is indeed a policy directive from the top to go green,” said Arances.

The green energy advocate emphasized that the potential of renewable energy should not be limited to Mindoro alone.

“Green energy solves the Mindoro power crisis, but not just that. It can solve the power woes we are going through nationwide as fossil fuel prices remain high and supply is short,” said Arances. “We hope to see officials of the Department of Energy reverse their course on gas on the basis of the President’s statement to know that there is indeed a policy directive from the top to go green.”

MORE: Occidental Mindoro placed under state of calamity due to worsening power crisis