The push for renewable energy (RE) has seemingly become en vogue among congressmen due to the effects of the fuel price crisis, whch have placed a huge spotlight on the disadvantages of fossil fuel dependence.

In recent weeks, a handful of lawmakers have championed pro-RE measures, with some going as far as endorse such provisions in the so-called "Bayanihan 3" bill that the House of Representatives is expected to craft in the coming days.

But according to records from the 300-plus strong lower chamber, solons have been pushing for measures of this nature since the start of the 20th Congress last year.

Lodged at the lower chamber so far are 12 House bills (HBs) and one House resolution (HR) that pursue the greater adoption of various kinds of RE, as well as the institutionalization of new bodies that could serve this purpose.

The 12 HBs are listed as nos. 458, 1261, 1400, 3040, 3294, 4300, 4601, 4733, 4842, 5090, 5094, 6676; while the lone HR is no. 752.

There are also a handful of other measures, such as HB nos. 2804 and 3126, that specifically pitched the expanded use of solar energy as an alternative source of electricity.

In general, the measures noted that, as of 2020, approximately 55 percent of the country's electricity was generated from coal- fired power plants In contrast, only 20 percent came from [RE] sources such as solar, hydro, geothermal, and wind.

All of these were filed before Feb. 28, when the United States (US) and Israel launched attacks against Iran and triggered tensions that spilled over to the oil-producing Middle East. As a result, local oil companies--citing supply constraints--have imposed five "big-time" price hikes in as many weeks.

Here are some of the pending measures:

Marikina City 1st district Rep. Marcelino Teodoro's HB No.1261 seeks to reduce the electricity consumption of government-owned facilities by promoting the development and utilization of RE systems.

"FossiÏ fuels, being non-renewable and carbon-intensive, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. [RE] sources, on the other hand, are sustainable and environmentally friendly, making their expansion imperative," read the bill.

"The ultimate aim of the proposed measure is to reduce the cost of electricity for our government by promoting the development and utilization of solar energy in all government buildings and offices," it added.

Under HB No. 2804, author Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos sought to reduce government electricity expenditures by mandating the development and utilization of solar energy systems in all government buildings and facilities.

"To ensure the long-term sustainability of the country's economic development, it is imperative to intensify efforts in harnessing and advancing renewable energy sources. This is critical in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and essential in addressing the escalating costs and finite nature of fossil-based energy resources," Marcos said.

Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos echoed this call in HB No. 3126, dubbed the "On-Grid Solar Energy Systems Bill". It mandates the establishment of on-grid solar energy systems in all national and local government-owned buildings and offices.

Giving recent context to his measure, Bernos said: "The implementation of a four-day work week in some offices in the executive branch underscores the need for us to shift away from our dependence on oil towards more renewable energy sources."

If enacted, HB No.4733 will establish the Philippine Renewable Energy Corporation.

"The corporation shall promote and undertake research, development, utilization, manufacture, sale, marketing, distribution and commercial application of new, renewable, non-conventional and environment-friendly energy sources including biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro, ocean, wind and other natural, non-fossil fuel. It shall apply new and efficient energy conversion and utilization technologies for commercial application and promote its efficient utilization," said authors Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and ABAMIN Party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr.

Under HB No.4842, Kamalayan Party-list Rep. Caroline Tanchay sought to enhance the RE industry through the green energy auction program.

"According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Philippines had 6.84GW of renewable energy capacity in 2020, which accounted for 27 percent of its total power generation capacity. The Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to increase this share to 35 percent by 2030," Tanchay said in her bill.

"Although the results of the various rounds ot Green Energy Auction have been promising, there is still a lot of effort, both from the legislative, the DOE, the ERC. and all other relevant stakeholders, to fulfill the 35 percent share in the overall generation mix by 2030," she noted.

Davao Oriental 2nd district Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario filed HB No.5094, or the proposed Act mandating government offices and/or establishments to allot at least 15 percent of their energy requirements to RE.

"By utilizing [RE], our country will be able to preserve non- [RE] sources and leave some for future generations. In this way, we will be able to meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. And we will be able to lessen pollution that damages our natural environment and that leads to global warming," he said.