Denmark Ambassador Pranz-Michael Mellbin was quoted saying that “The Philippines has every opportunity to be the next renewable energy (RE) success story. It has the renewable energy options for a healthy and abundant future energy mix – geothermal, hydro, biomass, solar, on- and off-shore wind and waste-to-energy.”

Indeed, the encouraging story of about the country’s rich RE mix to be realized need to be tapped after a thorough, meticulous planning process and a just transition from fossil to renewable energy involving not only regulation, but also jobs, distribution, and fair pricing are key ingredients that would help the Philippines and thrive despite the current fuel hikes, looming power outages and energy insecurity facing the country in future months.
Further, Ambassador Mellbin said “the key is for the Philippines to find the right partners (public-private partnerships) to transition to renewable energy.” Accordingly, while REs have a lot potential, it also comes with challenges that need to be addressed.

For its part, the Department of Energy (DOE) “has recently made significant steps forward in the country’s push for the development of renewable energy.”

MY COMMENT:

It does matter a lot to tap personalities with deep knowledge on energy planning, management and utilization to put the energy issue in its proper perspective. Amb. Mellbin’s observation on the state of energy in the country need to be taken seriously, suggestions must be addressed thoroughly, objectively.
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Rural and urban residents sometimes clash with their differing beliefs since it cannot be denied that, though living on the same islands, we Filipinos have varied cultural traditions and practices as exhibited by these two inhabitants.

As can be observed, people in remote areas tend to be superstitious. They have plenty of beliefs that are anchored on superstitions, that was still inherited from their forbears. As a result of these beliefs, they practice rituals and other observances that eventually identify them with the ancients, which are no longer observed by people in urban areas.

Urban dwellers, on the other hand, are mostly skeptical as regards the existence of deities and unseen beings. They are heavily influenced by Western ideas and practices that look down on superstitious beliefs. They are more exposed to advances in science and technology that, as we know, entirely disregard anything that is supernatural in nature. And so, it is not surprising that these people would sometimes mock and ridicule superstitious practices.

When these people clash over this issue, they differ a lot, even accusing one another, or threatening one another with consequences. When, for example, urban dwellers would go to farmlands and happen to do certain acts that the locals consider to be offensive to the gods, the latter would warn the former that bad omen would come their way unless they will appease those deities through some kind of sacrifice.

These sacrifices, if undone, may result in mysterious sickness on the part of the offenders. The locals would then underscore that, indeed, unseen beings were offended and that they should be offered the required offerings. This may include blood sacrifice—certain animals being killed, their blood spilled on certain spots where the offense was accordingly committed.

Once such a ritual is accomplished, the sickness may eventually go away, thanks to the sacrifice made which, in reality, is a form of worship offered to these gods and goddesses. Just as the illness came mysteriously, the ‘healing’ will likewise disappear in the same manner. This, to the urban residents, are beyond comprehension and logic. But they have no choice but to agree with the said rituals otherwise they would be physically impaired.
Rural folks, on the other hand, are shocked at how city lifeways operate. They can’t fathom, for instance, that almost every move in the metropolis requires money. The advances in communication, transportation, etc., are mind-boggling to them. They can’t imagine that, with a click of a finger, people can already communicate with one another. Moreover, they can virtually talk to each other face-to-face, via mobile phones or tablets, even if they are continents apart.

These differences and lifeways set the urban and rural people apart, in seemingly different worlds. When they meet, a clash of cultures ensues, and the results may not at all be that pleasant, but all the more confusing.