Senatorial candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista on Wednesday expressed belief that cheaper sources of energy can generate more jobs especially in the agriculture sector.

Bautista, who is running for the Senate in the upcoming May 2022 elections, said part of his plan should he win in the senatorial race would be to craft laws that seek to tap renewable, but cheaper, energy sources, to create more jobs in the agricultural sector which would be key to Philippine progress.

The former Quezon City mayor pointed out that he had been to several provinces, like Ilocos Norte, where people, mainly farmers, are still having a hard time accessing power and water supplies.

“Many communities in the interior are still without water supply... So these are the things that are being looked at and see what could be done,” Bautista said.

He said building more dams, or water retention areas, could provide irrigation for farmers.

“And then, eventually there will be job opportunities for all,” said Bautista, who is running under the UniTeam Alliance of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Bautista noted dams can support power generation and “the more stable our power is and prices are low, more businesses would be set up.”

“Many businesses would be built, many would be given jobs,” he said.

The former local chief executive also said this is one way for the Philippine’ economy to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sincethe Philippines has one of the highest power rates in Asia, Bautista said the country “is not very attractive to foreign investments.”

“If we can lower it to a certain degree that is acceptable to foreign investors and our people, there’ll be more opportunities for investment. And more opportunities for investment mean more jobs for our people,” the senatorial bet stressed.