Philippines seeks to balance renewable energy growth with food security

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are coordinating efforts to balance renewable energy expansion with food security. The DA has proposed a plan to map and geofence approximately 3 million hectares of agricultural land, specifically targeting rice-producing areas, to prevent renewable energy projects from encroaching on vital farmland.

Under this proposal, the DA intends to identify 1,000 to 2,000 priority agricultural zones to provide developers with clearer guidance on suitable locations for energy projects. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that energy security must not come at the expense of the land required for food production.

Simultaneously, the two agencies are exploring ways to expand domestic bioethanol production to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. Discussions between Secretary Tiu Laurel and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin focused on finding cheaper, more diverse feedstocks, such as molasses, sugarcane juice, and corn, to make local bioethanol more competitive. Officials are considering increasing the national ethanol blend from 10 percent to 15 percent, provided that feedstock costs can be managed to ensure commercial viability without displacing existing sugarcane industries.