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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider DOE seeks 24% budget increase for energy programs

DOE seeks 24% budget increase for energy programs

Published Sep 2, 2025 12:41 pm  |  Updated Sep 2, 2025 06:57 pm
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin
The Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed a 24.4 percent increase to its budget next year, seeking ₱3.839 billion from Congress.
During the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the DOE stated that the proposed budget, increased from this year’s ₱3.085 billion, would fund important projects such as nuclear energy development, alternative transport fuels, and energy efficiency initiatives.
The DOE’s priority agenda going forward includes amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), enacted in 2001, to implement major reforms. The department is also examining a waste-to-energy (WTE) project, with the goal of integrating it into the solid waste management programs of local government units.
The agency is also pushing for energy transition efforts and energy storage improvements as the country anticipates further growth in renewable energy (RE). Additionally, amendments to the Biofuels Act, which would mandate the blending of biofuels into all petroleum products, are expected to be a priority legislative measure.
The National Biofuel Board (NBB) is currently assessing market conditions to determine whether to resume the four percent biofuel blend (B4) in diesel, which was recently placed under temporary suspension.
Furthermore, the DOE hopes to amend the Oil Deregulation Act of 1998, which eliminated government control over petroleum prices to allow for fair competition among oil companies. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said recommended reforms could include a presidential directive to remove certain taxes.
"I want the President to have the option to suspend excise taxes if there's an excessive oil price hike in the international market," she said in an interview after the budget hearing. "So, if it hits $80 per barrel for three months, for example... The president can suspend the excise taxes."
In June, the DOE, alongside oil companies, staggered adjustments for domestic petroleum products amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a fluctuating market. This staggered approach aimed to lessen the burden of recent price spikes on motorists, particularly in the transport and agriculture sectors.

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