PE2 asserts EE as indigenous resource at ICCPI sustainability forum
MAKATI CITY, 16 July 2026 – The Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) stressed the imperative to position energy efficiency (EE) as an indigenous energy resource to help the national economy mitigate the impacts of global supply volatility. Ablaza aired PE2’s views during a panel discussion of the 2026 edition of the Philippine Sustainability Now 2026 forum, organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI) and held earlier today at the Alphaland Makati Place.
European Union (EU) Ambassador Massimo Santoro highlighted in his keynote message the importance of strong partnerships and how the EU Global Gateway can promote quality, high standard investments in green and digital infrastructure in the Philippines.
In her keynote message, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said, “The impacts of climate change have become more evident. These realities point us to a conclusion that the Philippines must innovate and accelerate its clean energy transition. Our transition is anchored on three objectives: security and reliability, achieving affordability for consumers and advancing clean energy development. These priorities are reflected in the Philippine Energy Plan.”
She also stated that energy efficiency, the cleanest energy, is the energy we do not waste. She invited more businesses to take part in DOE’s Oras Natin sa Efficiency campaign, by unplugging all unnecessary appliances and switching off non-essential lights every Saturday, from 8pm to 9pm. “Just by implementing these two simple actions for one hour weekly makes the people understand and changes their behavior,” Garin added.
PE2 president Alexander Ablaza joined fellow panelist Kenneth Peralta, Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in the panel discussion, “Energy Transition: Waste to Energy & Clean Solutions.” The discussion was moderated by Dax Belosoto of the University of the Philippines (UP).
Ablaza asserted that with the current ongoing crisis, energy efficiency should be harnessed as an indigenous source of energy. He explained, “We are harvesting energy wasted from appliances, from the way we travel, the way we use industrial machinery and the way we cool our buildings, and transforming such waste into useful energy for the economy.” Ablaza echoed Sec. Garin’s earlier statement that the greenest energy is the one that we do not have to produce.
PE2 member representative Milagrosa Russelle “Miles” Ballestar, CEO of iONTEK Power Solutions and ICCPI Vice President for Luzon, joined her ICCPI counterpart for Visayas Antonio Traversa in representing the Chamber in this annual event.
PE2 has been a steady partner of ICCPI's annual Sustainability Now events.
