Representatives of ASEAN member countries gather for the 48th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in Cebu on Friday, May 8, 2026. Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Philippines is pushing for stronger energy cooperation among Southeast Asian countries as it hosts the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting from October 6 to 10.
Department of Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella, who is chairing the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), said the Philippines is using its chairmanship to prioritize energy security, affordable and reliable energy, and new technologies.
Fuentebella said the Philippines has identified four key pillars for its ASEAN energy agenda:
- Secure people
- Create more jobs
- Foster innovation by promoting new technologies
- Build resilience
The Philippines also aims to strengthen regional energy cooperation amid global disruptions.
"Ang magandang benepisyo bilang host ay 'yung pagpapalakas ng kooperasyon sa ating rehiyon. Bakit siya mahalaga? Kasi meron tayong mga nag-i-import o nagpapasok ng mga fuel, nagpapasok ng energy products na natatamaan o naapektuhan ng tinatawag nating global disruptions. So dahil nag-uusap-usap tayo at nagkakaroon tayo ng kooperasyon, nagkakaroon din ng efficiency," he said.
One of the main priorities is the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to strengthen electricity connections among ASEAN countries.
ASEAN economy projected to grow by 4.5% in 2026
The ASEAN countries are also discussing submarine power cables and ways to improve cross-border energy connections.
Amid high fuel and energy costs affecting ordinary Filipinos, including public transport drivers, Fuentebella said the meeting is exploring solutions such as electric vehicles, energy efficiency, and other new technologies.
"The concrete outcomes basically is how we guide them to have other technologies that are available. So, ang mga ibang mga operators are not affected. Why? Because they use electric vehicles. So, these are the sharing that we will have to give to our mga kababayan. These technologies are already available, at papaano tayo magkakaroon ng shift," he said.
ASEAN is also working with China, Japan and South Korea on energy issues. Discussions include renewable energy, nuclear power, battery storage, hydrogen, carbon capture and energy efficiency.
ASEAN countries are also working to strengthen regional petroleum security under the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA).
On nuclear energy, Fuentebella said the Philippines is taking a leading role in ASEAN discussions, but has yet to commit to developing nuclear power.
"Ang Pilipinas medyo advance siya ngayon kasi sya 'yung chair din ng ASEAN subsector network on nuclear, energy. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na number one 'yung Pilipinas sa prosesong ito at mauuna sya sa paggawa nito, kasi 'yung commitment ng Pilipinas at kung papaano sya gagawin ay wala pa doon," he said.
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