MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on final reading on Monday a bill establishing the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute.
With 208 affirmative votes and no negative votes, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 8928 — or the proposed Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act.
Under the bill, the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute will be established at the University of the Philippines (UP). It will be independent of UP but attached to it for policy coordination and operational direction.
Among the objectives of the agency is to conduct pertinent policy research on energy issues and ensure the coordination and timely dissemination of results to key government agencies to guide policy and decision-making process.
It also seeks to provide technical assistance to the government on energy planning and addressing energy issues needing policy direction and advice.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who previously served as chairman of the Committee on Energy in the lower chamber and was one of the principal authors of the measure, said the proposed body would help “bridge the research and policy gap in the energy sector.”
“It is high time that the country develop a stable, sustainable, affordable and reliable energy supply by harnessing the latest research and technology available in order to meet the country’s growing demand for energy and the Duterte administration’s long-term development goals,” Velasco said in a statement.