By MST News | Sep. 19, 2014 at 12:01am
Amid proposals to empower President Benigno S. Aquino III with special authority to quickly respond to a power crisis, a former congressman has urged lawmakers to consider the use of clean energy to address the growing power needs of the country.
“Let’s learn from the lessons of the past, when the need to protect the environment was not factored in when we were searching for solutions to address our electricity shortfalls,” said Benny Abante, chairman of the Bayan Mamamayan Abante Movement.
Abante reminded Congress that when emergency powers were granted to then President Fidel V. Ramos, the country saw quick solutions to the power crisis, but this came at the expense of the environment, with the government buying power plants that run on oil and coal.
“I once again challenge our leaders to abandon dirty energy even as I consider giving emergency powers to the Executive,” said Abante.
The former legislator hoped that government would take this as an opportunity “not only to solve the power crisis, but to save the country from another threat—the health risks posed to the public by a polluted environment.”
Vice President Jejomar Binay had earlier stressed the need to push for the adoption of clean energy to ensure that the country avoids the consequences of climate change.
The financial resources we have now should be mobilized to ensure the future of our country. If we repeat the mistakes of the past, we will not be able to address the challenges brought about my climate change and global warming. source
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