Duterte signs law creating Energy Research and Policy Institute

FILE –  The Bangui wind farm, which features a row of giant turbines that harness wind to produce clean energy, has become a top attraction in Ilocos Norte.  —WILLIE LOMIBAO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure establishing the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI).

The President signed Republic Act No. 11572 or the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act on July 30, a copy of which was only made public on Monday.

Under the law, the new institute will be an independent agency attached to the University of the Philippines and will have a separate budget from the state university.

Objectives of the new agency include conducting research on energy issues and ensuring the coordination and dissemination of results to key government agencies to guide policy and decision-making processes.

The new institute will be headed by an executive director, appointed by the UP President, who must have at least three years of experience in the energy sector and have a strong organizational management background.

The institute will also have an executive board composed of seven members— the UP President as the ex-officio chairperson, at least one representative from the fields of engineering, law, science, statistics, economics, social science, and public health, four from the academe, and two from the private sector.

Other members of the board will be chosen by the UP President.

Under the law, some P200 million is appropriated out of the General Appropriations Act for the initial operating fund of the institute.

All its research papers, data, and other resources must be made available to the public through its website.