The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI) has voiced its support for Energy Secretary Mr. Raphael P.M. Lotilla amid the recent graft complaint filed against him by certain progressive groups.

In a statement on Monday, Aug. 5, the business group dismissed the graft charges alleging Lotilla of violating the moratorium on coal-fired power generating facility projects as “unfounded complaints.”

“We recognize the excellent work that Secretary Lotilla is doing,” PCCI said.

“We support the directions he is taking to achieve energy security and affordability for the country, the two key components to bring in investments, expand domestic enterprises and enhance our productivity and competitiveness,” it added.

Last week, cause-oriented groups filed a criminal complaint against Lotilla alleging violations of Republic Act No. 3019 and an administrative complaint for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

These complaints were prompted by concerns over Lotilla's reported involvement in endorsing the expansion of Aboitiz's Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) Unit 3.

According to the PCCI, this is not the time to unnecessarily distract the Department of Energy (DOE) from its work with misunderstandings of policies and misguided priorities.

“The policy on the moratorium on coal-fired power projects is quite clear - it applies to greenfield power generation facility projects,” PCCI said.

“Existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities, coal-fired power projects classified as committed, existing power plant complexes with firm expansion plans, and projects with significant progress such as signed agreements are bot affected by the moratorium,” it added.

PCCI said it endorsed the holistic energy solution as presented by the DOE, where coal remains an important component for economic growth while waiting for clean, reliable and affordable baseload technologies.

While PCCI supports the need to decarbonize, it also added, “We must do so in a careful manner without prejudicing the country’s economic progress.”

“Given that the Philippines is not a major carbon emitter and that it is not a wealthy country, a more pragmatic approach towards climate change needs to be emphasized, focusing our limited resources towards climate adaptation,” PCCI said.

It added, “Let us avoid being distracted by Western policies that may be appropriate for their country contexts but not ours.”

PCCI said the business group is concerned at the damages the allegations against Lotilla could cause the DOE and to the whole industry.

“We are competing against other countries in the region in enticing foreign direct investments come to our shores, let us not create an air of uncertainty that could dissuade these investments,” PCCI said.

“Moreover, we need to learn from the Panay power outage incident, the summer red and yellow alerts and the recent Typhoon Carina that downed electricity poles resulting in power outages,” it added.

“Insecurity of supply causes harm that can affect the lives of daily consumers and businesses and ultimately hinders our country’s resilience and march toward progress,” the business group said.